Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: Opposition gives ‘full support’ to govt during all-party meeting, ‘security lapses’ discussed

India has called Pakistan’s top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and given him a formal Persona Non Grata note, a report by ANI said citing sources. This step was taken after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, where 26 people were killed and many others were injured. The peaceful tourist spot in Anantnag district has now become a place of sorrow. PM Modi had on Wednesday led a Cabinet meeting on the security situation n Kashmir. The meeting lasted for more than two hours and was attended by key leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The mortal remains of several victims who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam have now reached their hometowns, bringing immense grief to their families and communities. Shubham Dwivedi, a young man from Kanpur, was among those killed in the brutal incident; has been brought back to his family home. In Karnataka, the bodies of Bharat Bhushan and Manjunath Rao were flown to Bengaluru from Srinagar. Meanwhile, the remains of Madhusudha Rao, a resident of Kavali in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, have also been brought back to Chennai. Political leaders, including the state BJP and Congress chiefs from Tamil Nadu, paid their respects and offered condolences to the grieving families, describing the loss as deeply heartbreaking, especially for the children left behind.

The mortal remains of two Karnataka residents who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack have been brought to Bengaluru on Thursday, as per a report by PTI. The victims, Bharath Bhushan and Manjunath Rao were among the 26 people who were killed in the shocking terror attack.

As per latest report, mortal remains of Madhusudha Rao, a native of Kavali in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district has also reached Chennai.

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India has decided to hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism.

The Integrated Check Post at Attari will also be closed immediately, with those who have crossed with valid endorsements allowed to return by May 1, 2025.

Pakistani nationals are banned from traveling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and all previously issued SVES visas are cancelled, with a 48-hour deadline for those currently in India to leave.

Additionally, the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared Persona Non Grata and must leave within a week, while India will withdraw its own advisors from Islamabad.

The overall staff strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 by May 1, 2025. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) emphasised maintaining high vigilance and reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice.

In 2016, during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, Pakistan strongly stated that blocking the Indus waters would be viewed as an “act of war.”

Jamil Maqsood, leader of the United Kashmir People’s National Party, urged international organizations to impose sanctions on Pakistan for exporting terrorism, specifically citing groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front. In a self-recorded video, Maqsood expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

“It is very unfortunate that Pakistan is still using terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism as its foreign policy tool and exporting terrorism into the region. We have been demanding continuously from the international community and organisations that are working as watchdogs for these issues,” Jamil Maqsood said.

“I condemn this heinous attack against innocent tourists. We demand that the United Nations Security Council, Financial Action Task Force and other institutions to sanction Pakistan for exporting terrorist organisations like LeT, TRF and others. All these terrorist organisations are getting the blessings of Pakistani security agencies, Pakistani government,” the United Kashmir People’s National Party leader said.

The Gujarat government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for state residents who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, and Rs. 50,000 for those injured in the attack. “The Gujarat government stands with full sympathy for the families of the victims of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The state government will provide Rs 5 lakh assistance to the families of the Gujarati tourists who lost their lives in this attack and ₹50,000 assistance to the injured tourists from the state,” CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted.

The CCS observed that the Pahalgam attack occurred following the successful completion of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the region’s ongoing progress in economic growth and development, according to a government release.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi.

The government has instructed tourism service providers, including hoteliers, travel agents, and online travel platforms, to offer all possible assistance to tourists following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In a communication to the tourism sector and the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the government recommended waiving cancellation fees and ensuring support for tourists affected by the tragedy. Thousands of tourists began leaving Kashmir after the attack, with many citing fear. The move comes as widespread cancellations are reported, and the government aims to minimise the impact on the region’s tourism sector.

A two-minute silence was observed and a ‘Deepdan’ was offered during the ‘Ganga Aarti’ at Dashashwamedh Ghat on Wednesday to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven priests performed the ‘Deepdaan’ (lamp offering) for the peace of the departed souls. This special tribute was part of the daily ‘Ganga Aarti,’ which attracts devotees and tourists from around the world.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday called for an investigation into the “security lapses” following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Strict action should be taken against those involved in the incident, the Congress leader said, adding, “The lieutenant governor (of Jammu and Kashmir) and (Union) home minister should investigate where the security lapses took place.”

India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which has cross-border links. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met on Wednesday and decided on several firm measures, including the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari. Pakistani nationals are now barred from traveling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and all previously issued visas are canceled. The Indus Water Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism. Those who crossed through the Attari Check Post with valid endorsements can return before May 1.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “The decisions made by the CCS following the horrific terrorist attack on Hindus have set the stage for a decisive response against Pakistan and its puppets. Bharat is confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JUSTICE will be DELIVERED.”

The body of Sudip Neupane, a Nepali national killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, will be brought back to Nepal on Wednesday night, according to sources from the Nepalese Foreign Ministry. Neupane was among the 26 victims killed in the attack on Tuesday. Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Shankar Sharma, is coordinating with Indian authorities to repatriate the body along with other stranded Nepalese nationals. In addition to Sudip’s body, four other Nepalese, including three of his family members, will also be brought back. One of the injured, Rimkala Pandey, is among those flying back to Nepal.

Civil Aviation Minister and TDP leader K. Rammohan Naidu led a candlelight march in his constituency, Srikakulam, on Wednesday to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack. In his statement, Naidu condemned the attack, asserting that terrorism has no place in the country. He described such heinous and cowardly acts against innocent civilians as an assault on the nation’s collective conscience.

“We stand united in grief, and we are resolute that those responsible will not go unpunished, and justice will be served,” Naidu stated. The march was joined by state cabinet minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, MLA G. Shankar, and other local leaders.

Following calls from political parties to track down the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack on tourists, the Centre emphasized on Wednesday that the “cowardly” assault on innocent civilians will soon be met with a “strong response.” Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the attack site in Baisaran near Pahalgam in Anantnag district, affirmed that India would not bow to terrorism and vowed that those responsible for this brutal act would not go unpunished. Arriving by helicopter, Shah was briefed by security officials on the events leading up to the attack and the potential routes the terrorists may have taken to reach the popular tourist destination, surrounded by dense pine forests. He later visited the injured at the Anantnag hospital and met with the families of the victims.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, “The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025.”

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, convened to discuss the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali citizen. The CCS strongly condemned the attack, offered condolences to the victims’ families, and appreciated global support and condemnation of the incident.

The CCS identified cross-border involvement in the attack, which occurred amid positive developments in the Union Territory, including successful elections and economic progress. In response, the CCS announced a series of stringent measures:

Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

Closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.

Revocation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals.

Expulsion of Pakistani Defence Advisors from New Delhi and withdrawal of Indian counterparts from Islamabad.

Reduction of diplomatic staff at both High Commissions to 30 members.

The central government will to hold an all-party meeting tomorrow, April 24, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh set to chair the session, according to ANI sources.

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025.

Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India.

The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India.

India will be withdrawing its own Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled.

MEA is anticipated to address the media shortly, following the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to the identification or arrest of the terrorists responsible for the deadly Pahalgam attack. The reward aims to encourage public cooperation in tracking down those involved in the brutal assault that claimed several lives.

“On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, with media reporting multiple casualties. Several cities in India remain on high alert as a result of the attack, according to local media. US citizens are reminded that the Department of State has a “Do Not Travel” advisory,” US State Department said in its alert.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened on Wednesday evening to assess the situation following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals and left several others injured. After the high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other key officials were seen departing from the venue.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the victims from the state who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, three tourists from Karnataka were among those killed in the tragic incident.