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 10:30 AM GMT
Pune administration has asked 11 Pakistani nationals to leave India by April 27
The Pune district administration has so far identified 111 Pakistani nationals living in the district and directed them to leave India by April 27.
The action followed the suspension of all types of visas issued to Pakistani citizens in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the medical visas will be valid for an additional two days.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi told reporters that data of Pakistani nationals is being collected from visa-issuing authorities and the passport office. "So far, we have received information about 111 Pakistani nationals. All of them have been informed that it is mandatory for them to leave the country within the stipulated deadline," he said.
The visas were issued for various reasons, including tourism and medical treatment, the collector said, adding, "Those here for medical reasons have been given a concession to leave by April 29."
- 25 April 2025 10:18 AM GMT
Integrate PoK into India: VHP chief
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar on Friday called for the integration of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) into India and the end of terrorism sponsored by the neighbouring country.
The RSS affiliate and its youth wing Bajrang Dal held a nationwide protest against the Pahalgam terror attack and burnt the effigies of "jihadi terrorism and sinner Pakistan".
Terrorists struck a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, most of them tourists, and injuring several others.
"Now the time has come to free the world from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and free Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from the clutches of jihadis and merge it with India," Kumar said at a protest meeting held at Jantar Mantar here.
He said "tough diplomatic steps" taken by the Indian government after the Pahalgam terror strike have left Pakistan isolated in the world.
- 25 April 2025 10:04 AM GMT
Pahalgam attack won't affect Amarnath Yatra: J&K Deputy CM
Amarnath pilgrimage will not be affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Friday. The annual Amarnath pilgrimage which passes through the south Kashmir tourist resort.
Pahalgam is one of the key base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra and falls on the traditional 43-km route leading to the 3,880 metre high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.
"Amarnath yatra is a religious event. Those who want to come for Amarnath yatra will come of their own will. Some people go to Kedarnath and some do not go because there is snow... The yatra shall not be affected just because of the Pahalgam terror attack," Choudhary told PTI Videos in an interview.
