Pahalgam attack: Won't allow single drop of water to flow into Pak: Centre
The government plans to strengthen existing dams and build infrastructure to better manage India’s own water needs, especially in border states like Punjab and J&K
India on Thursday (April 25) informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance with immediate effect, saying Pakistan has breached conditions of the treaty. The letter came in response to the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists were killed by terrorists.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists. Rahul, who earlier interacted with the injured tourists at the Army hospital in Srinagar, met Abdullah at his residence, officials said.
In Delhi, popular shopping hubs like Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk were among the more than 900 markets that wore a deserted look on Friday as traders observed a 'Delhi Bandh' to protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.
Various merchant associations from sectors such as textiles, spices, utensils, and bullion also kept their shutters down.
Water treaty
Sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, India's Secretary of Water Resources Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza.
"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the letter read. "The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilisation of its rights under the treaty," the letter said.
On Thursday, the Centre also convened an all-party meeting where it briefed leaders about the attack and heard their views.
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- 25 April 2025 11:30 AM GMT
Army chief reaches Udhampur to review security situation
Days after the Pahelgam terror attack which left 26 people, mostly tourists, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has reached Udhampur to review the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters there. He is being briefed on the security situation along the LoC in Poonch-Rajouri districts and other areas South of Pir Panjal mountain ranges say Army officials.
- 25 April 2025 11:23 AM GMT
Pahalgam terror attack totally unacceptable: Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Friday it was an "act beyond belief" and is "totally unacceptable".
Mirwaiz, who was allowed to offer the Friday congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta locality of the city here after four weeks, also asked the government to allow him to visit those injured in the attack.
Mirwaiz and the people present in the mosque observed a minute's silence before the prayers to show solidarity with the affected families.
"The killings have pierced our hearts. We heard that these people were first asked about their religious identities and then murdered in front of their families. This is an act beyond belief," Mirwaiz said in his address to the congregation at the mosque.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion, strongly condemn the killings.
"Who understands the pain of losing their own better than the people of Kashmir? Who can feel the pain of the loved ones of those killed more than us? The incident has made our hearts bleed," he said.
Kashmir's chief cleric said the people of Kashmir share the grief of the affected families and stand with them.
"We pray to God to give them patience. We also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," he added.
Referring to several viral videos of locals helping tourists in the aftermath of the attack, he said Kashmiris have always opened their hearts and doors for their guests.
"Our hospitality is famous world over and once again the Kashmiris continued their traditions. A ponywalla, Adil Hussain, sacrificed his life trying to save the lives of others. Kashmiris carried tourists on their shoulders.
- 25 April 2025 11:11 AM GMT
Pahalgam attack : Black bands worn during Friday prayers in Sambhal in protest
People from the Muslim community wore black bands during Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district to protest the Pahalgam terror attack.
At several mosques across the district, including the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal city and the Takiya Wali Masjid in Chandausi, the namazis wore black bands to condemn the attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday.
At the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, worshippers also carried posters to voice their anger, specifically against Pakistan for the cross-border links to the Pahalgam attack.
"This atrocity was committed on unarmed people, ruining the lives of many of our sisters. It was a very sad incident," said Saqir Hussain, a local, after offering prayers at the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Urging the Centre to take decisive action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre, Hussain said, "This is the time to teach a lesson to the terrorists and their masters. I request the government to take steps that generations will remember.” Saeed Akhtar Israeli, another local, called for complete severing of ties with Pakistan and destruction of terror camps on its soil.
- 25 April 2025 10:58 AM GMT
Pahalgam attack : Haryana cops asked to keep strict vigil
Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Friday held a conference with the deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs), emphasising that upholding law and order remains a top priority, especially in the light of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
At least 26 men, most of them tourists, were killed in cold blood when terrorists opened fire at them in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. The dead included a local and a Nepalese citizen.
Rastogi reaffirmed the state government's commitment to maintaining peace, harmony and brotherhood across the state.
Chairing a video conference with the DCs and SPs, he directed the district officials to keep a hawk's eye on anti-social elements and take prompt action against anyone attempting to disrupt public order or social unity.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra issued a series of instructions aimed at strengthening the security apparatus.
She called upon the district administrations to intensify patrolling, enhance local intelligence-gathering mechanisms and maintain constant surveillance on potentially sensitive areas.
Misra particularly emphasised the importance of monitoring social media platforms.
- 25 April 2025 10:44 AM GMT
Pahalgam attack : Pakistan Senate passes resolution rejecting India's allegations
Pakistan’s Senate on Friday passed a resolution rejecting India’s "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link the country with the Pahalgam terror attack.
The attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar moved the resolution, which got across-the-board support from parties in the upper house of parliament.
"Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation," the resolution said.
The resolution, rejecting all "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link Pakistan with the attack, said killing innocent civilians was against the values upheld by Pakistan.
It condemned “the orchestrated and mala fide campaign by the Indian government to malign Pakistan, which follows a familiar pattern of exploiting the issue of terrorism for a narrow political goal.” The resolution also condemned India’s declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and said the move amounted to "an act of war”.
Earlier, the deputy prime minister informed the house that the Foreign Office briefed diplomats from 26 countries about the current situation in the region.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any Indian misadventure and added that any such move would be met in kind, similar to the past.
- 25 April 2025 10:37 AM GMT
Pahalgam attack: Owaisi distributed black armbands at a mosque
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi distributed black armbands at a mosque before the Friday prayers, urging people to wear them as a mark of protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.
Owaisi, who also wore a black armband, distributed them at a mosque in Shastripuram here, party sources said.
"Juma Namaz, please do wear a black band around your arms to protest the terrorist act perpetrated by LeT in Pahalgam against innocent Indians," he said in a post on 'X'.
Terrorists had opened fire at a tourist spot near Pahalgam in Kashmir on the afternoon of April 22, killing 26 people—mostly tourists—in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
