GUWAHATI: In the wake of Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, April 23, convened an emergency meeting to announce a series of strong diplomatic and security measures taken against Pakistan.
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Among the key decisions taken was directing all Pakistani nationals currently residing in India to leave the country within 48 hours. Furthermore, no new visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) will be issued to Pakistani citizens "for the foreseeable future", as per official sources.
The Wagha Border, a principal land route between the two countries, has also been sealed with immediate effect citing security reasons. These measures mark a sharp escalation in India’s response following the targeted killing of 26 people — mostly tourists — by suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked militants at the Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir.
Other decisions taken in the meeting was the reduction of strength in Pakistan's diplomatic mission, and a temporary suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. The defence, military, air, and naval advisors in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata, and have been given a week to leave India.
The attack, believed to have been masterminded by Saifullah Kasuri, a senior Lashkar commander reportedly operating from Gujranwala in Pakistan, has drawn widespread condemnation and mourning. Intelligence reports suggest that the assault was directed by handlers in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and that the attackers received detailed reconnaissance and real-time guidance from across the border.
The CCS meeting was attended by key ministers and top officials from defence, home, and foreign ministries.
