India has postponed access to the official X account of the Pakistan government after 20 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Pahelgaon in Jammu and Kashmir. After the incident, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a meeting to determine India's response. At a press briefing on Wednesday (April 23), Foreign Secretary Vikram announced several rigorous steps against Misri Pakistan. Indian media reported NDTV.
At that meeting, New Delhi accused Pakistan of assisting and sheltering border terrorism and decided to take extensive action in response. These measures include the suspension of the water agreement of decades old Indus river and the expulsion of senior diplomatic activists of Pakistan. Besides, the number of diplomatic mission staff in both countries is reduced. The number of staff in the high commissions of India and Pakistan will be reduced from 1 to 5 and it must be completed by May 5.
India has expelled all defense, naval and aviation advisers from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. They have been ordered to leave the country within a week. Similarly, India will also withdraw military advisers from their own high commission in Islamabad. Five assistant staff associated with these advisors will also be withdrawn in both missions.
India has also announced that the SAARC Visa Discount Scheme for Pakistani citizens has been postponed. All the previously issued visas issued under this program have been canceled immediately.
The only effective land border crossing with Pakistan for India is the Autory Integrated Check Post. The post has ordered the closure immediately. Pakistani citizens entering India with this check post with valid documents will be able to return to the country before the May 5 deadline.
The diplomatic reaction came to Pahelgaon the next day after the April 26 terrorist attack, where 20 Indian nationals and a Nepalese citizen were killed.
The Foreign Minister was present at the meeting for more than two hours. Jayashankar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
