In the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated. Within 48 hours of the incident, Pakistan issued a notification for a surface-to-surface missile test in the Arabian Sea, off the Karachi coast. The missile test is scheduled to take place between April 24 and 25, within Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to ANI, Indian defence agencies are on high alert and closely monitoring all developments.
This move follows a series of strong retaliatory actions taken by India, which include sweeping diplomatic and treaty-level penalties. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened an emergency meeting where key decisions were taken. Among them was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960—a landmark agreement that has withstood multiple wars between the two nations. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the suspension would remain in place “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
In addition, India has revoked all SAARC visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals and ordered the closure of the Attari Integrated Checkpost. All Pakistani Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors stationed in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and given a week to leave the country. Moreover, all Special Permission to Enter SAARC (SPES) visas granted to Pakistani citizens have been cancelled. Those currently in India under such visas have been asked to exit within 48 hours. India has also decided to withdraw its own military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Speaking on the matter, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures… Those who sponsored the act will be held accountable.”
The April 22 attack took place in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, where heavily armed militants from The Resistance Front (TRF) opened fire on tourists. The incident left dozens dead and several injured. Indian intelligence agencies believe the assault was orchestrated to disrupt the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir and is linked directly to terror infrastructure across the border.
In response to the grave situation, the Indian government has called for an all-party meeting scheduled at 6 PM on Thursday at the Parliament Annexe. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will brief political leaders on the current security scenario. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju are reaching out to party representatives to ensure unified national consensus. Senior ministers have also held strategy sessions to evaluate the broader implications on national security and regional stability.
