Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: India suspends Indus Water Treaty
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that those responsible for the “cowardly terrorist attack” on innocent citizens will soon get a strong response
India on Wednesday (April 23) suspended the Indus Water Treaty and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including expulsion of its military attaches in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and firmed up the responses to the terror attack.
The CCS decided that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a media briefing.
Orders closure of Attari Border
The Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect, he said.
Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, he said.
Misri said, "The defence, military, naval and air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata." They have a week to leave India, he said.
India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
"These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.
"The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1," he said.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that those responsible for the “cowardly terrorist attack” on innocent citizens will soon get a “strong response” to their nefarious acts on Indian soil.
Singh, while vowing a befitting reply, also said India will not only hunt down the people who perpetrated the attack but will also trace those “sitting behind the scenes” who had conspired to carry out the deadly act on Indian soil.
Follow this space for more live updates
Live Updates
- 23 April 2025 9:19 AM GMT
J-K employees to observe 2-minute silence
Government employees in Jammu and Kashmir will observe a two-minute silence on Wednesday as a mark of respect for the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“In light of the tragic killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam, all government office employees across Jammu and Kashmir are requested to observe a two-minute silence at 3.30 PM today as a mark of respect and solidarity,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on his official X handle.
- 23 April 2025 9:17 AM GMT
Omar Abdullah calls special cabinet meeting
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the Pahalgam terror strike, officials said.
The meeting will discuss the impact of the devastating strike on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, which was gearing up for the peak summer season, they said. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy in Kashmir, the officials pointed out. The government may call for an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis, they said.
- 23 April 2025 9:16 AM GMT
Police step up vigilance across Delhi
Security has been tightened across Delhi following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Security outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi has been beefed up, officials said.
“We have deployed paramilitary forces along with Delhi Police personnel outside of the High Commission of Pakistan. No one will be allowed to breach law and order there,” a senior police officer said.
“Security has been beefed up at the famous tourist spots such as the Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Bangla Sahib gurdwara, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Lodhi Garden, Jama Masjid, Delhi Haat INA, National Museum, Jantar Mantar, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, Rajghat and Safdarjung Tomb, among others,” the police said.
Security has also been stepped up outside Metro stations, bus terminals, railway stations, malls and major marketplaces across the capital, such as Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Rajouri Garden, among others.
- 23 April 2025 9:12 AM GMT
Supreme Court judges, lawyers pay tribute to victims
The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed a moment of silence for the lives snuffed out in a terror attack in Pahalgam in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Judges, advocates and litigants all stood in silence to pay their tributes to lost souls as soon as siren was sounded at 1.59 pm till 2 pm.
In a related act of solidarity, lawyers and over 300 members of the Supreme Court Bar Association assembled in the apex court’s lawn in solidarity with victims of the terror attack.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association condemned the attack too.
- 23 April 2025 9:10 AM GMT
Special flight to bring home 40 Karnataka tourists stranded in Kashmir
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said more than 40 Kannadigas who had gone on a trip to Kashmir are stranded due to the terrorist attack, and that he instructed the authorities to arrange a special flight to bring all of them safely back to the state.
He also spoke to the families of those killed in the terrorist attack over the phone and expressed his condolences.
Two people from Karnataka are among those who were killed in the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
The CM spoke to Pallavi, wife of Manjunath Rao of Shivamogga, and Sujatha, wife of Bharat Bhushan of Mathikere in Bengaluru, and expressed his condolences, his office said in a statement.
Bharath Bhushan was shot dead by the terrorists while his wife Sujatha and their three-year-old son were spared. Manjunath Rao, a realtor, was also killed in the presence of his wife and son.
Bodies of the deceased accompanied by their family members are scheduled to be brought back later in the day.
Urging all people from the state who are now in Jammu & Kashmir to remain calm, he said the Karnataka government has swiftly deployed teams and sent minister Santosh Lad to assist on the ground.
“For any help, please call 112 — our officers are working with J&K authorities to ensure your safety and immediate support. We are with you. Your well-being is our utmost priority,” he added.
A team of officials was dispatched to Kashmir on Tuesday evening to rescue people stranded there following the attack.
Earlier, the state government shared helpline numbers as part of its efforts to bring back the tourists from Kashmir. It has asked tour operators and travel agents in the state to share the details of tourists who have gone to Jammu and Kashmir through them.
Relatives and acquaintances of tourists who have gone to Jammu and Kashmir have also been asked to share their details through helpline numbers: 080-43344334, 080-43344335, 080-43344336, 080-43344342.
