Pakistan's top leadership to meet tomorrow to plan response to India's Pahalgam move

After the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, India took major steps against Pakistan. The Indian government believes that the attack had cross-border links. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met soon after the incident. Modi even returned early from his Saudi Arabia visit to handle the situation personally.

The government announced five strong actions:

1. Diplomatic Staff Cut
   India decided to reduce the number of Pakistani staff in their High Commission in New Delhi. All defence, navy, and air advisors working in the Pakistani High Commission were declared “persona non grata,” meaning they are no longer welcome. These officials must leave India within a week. Also, five of their support staff members will be sent back.
   At the same time, India will also remove its own defence, navy, and air advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan. This step reflects a serious breakdown in military-to-military communication between the two nations.
   With these steps, the total number of staff at both High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30. This change will take effect by May 1, 2025.

2. Indus Waters Treaty Suspended
   India decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold. This is a major treaty signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan with help from the World Bank. The treaty allows Pakistan to use most of the water from the Indus River system. By suspending it, India is sending a strong message that such cooperation will not continue while Pakistan-linked terror groups carry out attacks in India.

3. Attari Border Check Post Closed
   The integrated check post at the Attari-Wagah border has been closed. Only those who already have valid travel endorsements before May 1 will be allowed to return. No new entries will be permitted for now. This move is expected to hit people-to-people contact between both countries.

4. SAARC Visa Exemption Cancelled for Pakistan
   The Indian government also ended the visa-free travel privilege for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Those already in India using this visa must leave the country within 48 hours. The SVES allowed some Pakistani officials, journalists, and businessmen to travel between countries easily. Now, they must leave.

5. Shadow Terror Group Claims Responsibility
   The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be a shadow group of the banned Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Lashkar-e-Taiba has a history of attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. TRF’s link to Pakistan was mentioned during the CCS briefing. Officials noted that this attack came soon after peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the region’s improving economic progress.

Pakistan Plans to Respond

On the same day, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that the country's top civilian and military leadership would meet to plan a response. The National Security Committee (NSC) meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting will include all three military service chiefs and key cabinet ministers.

The Pakistani government is upset with India’s actions. They say they will give a “proper response” after the NSC meeting. It is expected that Pakistan will issue a statement or take diplomatic steps in reaction to India’s decisions.

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Kashmir Reacts

Meanwhile, in Kashmir, the situation has become tense again. Shops and public places were shut down as a form of protest against the terror attack. Many people joined protests to condemn the killing of civilians. Local leaders, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, attended the funerals of some of the victims.

One especially emotional story that touched many was about a newly-married navy officer and his wife who were on their honeymoon in Pahalgam. Both died in the attack. Another story told by a survivor showed the cruelty of the terrorists. A woman said the attackers told her to "tell this to Modi" after killing her husband in front of her.

India's Message to the World

The Indian government clearly stated that such attacks will not be tolerated. Officials pointed out that the terror strike was planned to disrupt the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir. Over the past few years, there have been fewer terror incidents in the area, and local elections were held peacefully. The government says this attack was meant to scare people and slow down growth in the region.

The CCS also noted that such violence aims to destabilize the progress made under the new administration of the Union Territory. The region has seen better infrastructure, more tourist visits, and higher economic activity since Article 370 was removed in 2019.

India wants the international community to take note of Pakistan's continued support to terror groups. Indian officials say they will raise the matter in global forums. They will urge countries to pressurize Pakistan to take action against terror groups working from its land.

The Indian government is closely watching how Pakistan reacts to these steps. It is also preparing for any possible increase in tension along the border. Security has been increased in Jammu and Kashmir. Intelligence agencies are on high alert to prevent further attacks.

In the coming days, more diplomatic steps could be taken if Pakistan fails to act against terror groups. India’s message is clear: any harm to Indian lives, especially through cross-border terrorism, will lead to firm action.

At the same time, India is reaching out to its global allies to build pressure on Pakistan. This includes contacting the United States, European Union, and other SAARC countries.

As for common people in both countries, these decisions may affect trade, travel, and people-to-people contact. But the Indian government believes strong action is necessary after such a major attack.

The Pahalgam terror attack has once again shown how fragile the peace in the region is. India’s strong diplomatic and military decisions signal a no-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism. The world is watching how both countries act next. What remains clear is that India will now respond more strongly to any act of terror, especially when linked to its neighbor.