New Delhi: The Indian government has announced sweeping retaliatory measures targeting Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 25 Indian nationals and a Nepali citizen dead.
The decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
During the briefing, the CCS was informed of clear cross-border linkages in the attack, which came at a time when Jammu & Kashmir was seeing a peaceful electoral process and steady economic progress. The committee also acknowledged the outpouring of global support, with several governments unequivocally condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.
In view of the attack’s severity, the CCS approved the following key actions against Pakistan:
1. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty:
India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect. The treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.
2. Closure of Attari Integrated Check Post:
The Attari ICP has been closed effective immediately. Pakistani nationals who entered India with valid documents may return through the same route by 1 May 2025.
3. Cancellation of SVES visas for Pakistani citizens:
Pakistani nationals will no longer be permitted entry under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). All previously issued SVES visas are cancelled. Those currently in India under SVES must exit the country within 48 hours.
4. Expulsion of Pakistani military personnel and staff reductions:
India has declared Pakistan’s Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors stationed at its High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. They have seven days to leave. India will also withdraw its own defence officials from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts, including five support staff on both sides, are now annulled.
5. Downsizing of diplomatic missions:
The strength of both Indian and Pakistani High Commissions will be reduced to 30 personnel each from the current 55. This reduction must be completed by 1 May 2025.
Additionally, the CCS reviewed the nationwide security posture and instructed all forces to maintain maximum vigilance. The government reiterated its firm resolve to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice and to hold their state and non-state sponsors accountable. Referring to the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the CCS underlined India’s commitment to pursuing terrorists and conspirators across jurisdictions without relent.
These wide-ranging diplomatic and strategic moves mark one of India’s strongest responses to Pakistan in recent years, reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and its facilitators.
In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, chaired a meeting of the CCS at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. pic.twitter.com/bZj5gggp5l
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 23, 2025
