India hits back: Pauses Indus Treaty, suspends Pakistani advisors after Pahalgam massacre

In a firm and sweeping response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 28 people dead, the Indian government on Wednesday unveiled five strong measures against Pakistan, holding it accountable for continued support of cross-border terrorism.

The decisions were made during an emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by senior leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media after the two-and-a-half-hour deliberation.

Key Decisions Announced:

Suspension of Indus Water Treaty:

India has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, declaring the move will remain in effect until Islamabad takes “irreversible steps” to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil.

Closure of Attari Integrated Check Post:

The Attari border crossing has been shut. Pakistani nationals who entered India legally via this post must leave the country before May 1, 2025.

Visa Crackdown on Pakistani Citizens:

All SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) benefits for Pakistani nationals have been revoked. Current holders of SVES visas must exit India within 48 hours.

Expulsion of Pakistani Military Advisors:

India has declared Pakistan’s defence, naval, and air advisors at its High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. They must leave within seven days.

Withdrawal of Indian Military Advisors from Islamabad:

India is recalling its defence attaches from Islamabad. These posts will now stand abolished.

An all-party meeting is scheduled for Thursday to discuss further steps regarding national security.

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The crackdown follows the brutal terror strike in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam on Tuesday, which killed 26 people and injured over 20. Among the deceased were tourists from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, as well as citizens from Nepal and the UAE. Two local residents also perished.

The attack, carried out during peak tourist season, is being described as a “targeted hate crime” with eyewitnesses stating that the assailants asked victims about their religion before opening fire.

Prime Suspects Identified

Security agencies have released sketches of three suspects—Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. Intelligence sources indicate the plot was orchestrated by Saifullah Khalid, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), operating from Pakistan. The group of five terrorists reportedly included two local Kashmiris and three Pakistani nationals.

Top-level security meetings were held across Srinagar and New Delhi throughout Wednesday to bolster readiness and prevent further attacks.

India’s bold diplomatic and military posture marks a significant escalation in its approach toward Pakistan following the massacre, with calls for accountability growing louder across the political spectrum.