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Pak says attempt to divert water under Indus Waters Treaty will be considered Act of War; announces suspension of trade, bilateral accords, airspaces with India
The Centre convened an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack on Thursday (April 24) evening, where it briefed the leaders of various political parties on the attack and heard their views.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Bihar addressing pre-election rallies, did not attend the meeting. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affair Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Jaishankar and Shah met President Droupadi Murmu during the day.
Pakistan's counter-measures
Across the border, Pakistan said any move to divert water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty would be considered an Act of War as it announced the suspension of trade, bilateral accords, including the Simla Agreement, and airspaces with India. These were among other moves in retaliation to New Delhi's measures against the country in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
The announcements were made after a meeting chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formulate the country's response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Modi’s tough talk
In his first statement since the April 22 carnage, Modi, speaking from Bihar, sent a stern warning to the perpetrators of the attack and asserted that India would identify, track and punish every terrorist involved in the incident and their backers “beyond their imagination”.
“This attack was not merely on unarmed tourists; the country’s enemies have dared to attack the soul of Bharat (India),” he said. “Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served. The entire nation stands firm in this resolve.”
We “will pursue them (Pahalgam attackers) to the end of earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism,” Modi chose to state in English. Before starting his speech, Modi, along with the public, observed a minute of silence to pay homage to the 26 Pahalgam victims.
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Live Updates
- 24 April 2025 11:46 AM GMT
Pahalgam terror attack: BSF scales down retreat ceremony
Following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam BSF scales down retreat ceremony at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki along Indo-Pak border in Punjab government officials said.
- 24 April 2025 11:34 AM GMT
Any attempt to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an Act of War : Pakistan
Reacting to India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan on Thursday blocked its airspace for Indian airlines, closed the Wagah border crossing, suspended all trade with India, and said any attempt to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an Act of War.
The announcements were made after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formulate the country's response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The meeting was attended by key ministers and the three services chiefs.
"Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains. India should refrain from its reflexive blame game and cynical staged, managed exploitation of incidents like Pahalgam to further its narrow political agenda.
"Such tactics serve only to inflame tensions and obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region," according to a statement released after the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.
- 24 April 2025 11:26 AM GMT
Meghalaya tightens security after Pahalgam terror attack
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Meghalaya government on Thursday instructed security agencies to intensify vigilance along the 443-km-long international border with Bangladesh, officials said.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma who is currently in New Delhi en route to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, is closely monitoring the state’s security apparatus and has called for heightened collaboration with the BSF.
"The Chief Minister, who had condemned the heinous terrorist attack, is closely monitoring the international border in Meghalaya and has sought close coordination between security agencies in the state," a senior home department official told PTI.
- 24 April 2025 11:23 AM GMT
JD-U's priority is the PM: Congress' jab at Nitish over skipping all party meeting
Taking potshots at JD(U) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the party's decision to skip the all-party meeting on the Pahalgam attack due to prior engagements, Congress on Thursday said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priority is elections, JD-U's priority is the PM, and so the meeting on the terror strike can wait.
The grand old party's swipe came after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), a key BJP ally, said it has extended full support to the Centre on its response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
While the party's leaders will not be able to attend the all-party meeting due to prior engagements, JD-U spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said, "We stand with each and every decision of the government." Reacting to the development, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "Prime Minister's priority is elections. JDU’s priority is Prime Minister. All party meeting on terror attack can wait." The Centre will brief leaders of various political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack and hear their views at an all-party meeting to be held on Thursday evening.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to brief the leaders, official sources said. Singh will chair the meeting.
- 24 April 2025 11:16 AM GMT
Pahalgam terror attack : US issues 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Jammu & Kashmir
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack which left 26 tourists dead, US on Wednesday has issued a 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Jammu and Kashmir owing to the “terror attacks” and possible “violent civilian unrest” in the Union Territory and also within 10 kms of the India-Pakistan border.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam,” the US Department of State's updated travel advisory for US citizens said.
It also asked its citizens to avoid going within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border “due to the potential for armed conflict.” India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including expulsion of its military attaches, in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
- 24 April 2025 11:07 AM GMT
Pakistan 'rejects' Indian decision to suspend Indus Water Treaty
Pakistan 'rejects' Indian decision to suspend Indus Water Treaty after Pahalgam terror attack, says it's lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis
