Pahalgam terror attack highlights: India holds Pak accountable, CCS declares its military attaches persona non grata

Railways will run a special unreserved train from Katra to New Delhi at 9:20 pm on Wednesday for those who want to cut short their trip to Jammu and Kashmir and return to their respective destinations, an official said.

Reports suggested that several tourists at various places in Jammu wanted to return to their respected cities in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

“Considering the urgency, we have immediately arranged a special train for all classes of passengers to return to their home cities,” Himanshu Upadhyay, Chief Public Relation Officer, Northern Railway (NR), said.

Just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level CCS meeting in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a meeting of the National Security Committee. This meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning, April 24, 2025.

The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter) by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, who confirmed that national security will be the key focus of the discussion.

“Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz has convened the meeting of the National Security Committee on Thursday morning 24th April 2025 to respond to the Indian Government’s statement of this evening,” Dar posted on X.

Canada on Wednesday finally condemned the ghastly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, almost 36 hours after the incident took place, becoming the last G7 nation to express solidarity with India.

PM Mark Carney on X wrote, “I am horrified by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a senseless and shocking act of violence that has killed and injured innocent civilians and tourists. Canada strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We offer our condolences to the victims and their families.”

I am horrified by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a senseless and shocking act of violence that has killed and injured innocent civilians and tourists.

Canada strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We offer our condolences to the victims and their families.

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 23, 2025

Here’s the full text of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s statement from the MEA briefing held earlier tonight:

“The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. A number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured.

Strong expressions of support and solidarity have been received from many Governments around the world, which have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CCS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism.

In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

Recognizing the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures:

(i) 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.

(ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025.

(iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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.

The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible.”

The CCS, in its meeting has decided on several tough diplomatic actions against Pakistan.

Key among these is New Delhi’s decision to hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which was brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan, in abeyance. India has not annulled or terminated the deal, but has put it on hold as a diplomatic signal to build pressure on Islamabad. This abeyance comes into effect immediately and will remain in effect “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said.

While water flow from the Indus river to Pakistan will continue, there will be no more data sharing. This is expected to make water management difficult for Pakistan.

In addition, the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata and must leave India in a week. 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.

READ MORE: India’s big move after Pahalgam attack: Indus Water Treaty suspended

Pakistan’s military attaches— defence officials stationed in embassies or high commissions— in India have been declared persona non grata by the government following CCS meeting. Military attaches’ roles typically include liaison between the armed forces of the two countries, observing military developments, and often acting as defence advisors.

Persona non grata mean is a Latin term meaning “an unwelcome person.” In diplomatic language, it is the most serious form of censure one country can apply to personnel of another. Once someone is declared persona non grata, they lose their diplomatic status and immunity in the host country and must leave.

​The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, India’s principal land border crossing with Pakistan, has been closed with immediate effect. Individuals who have already crossed into India with valid endorsements may return to Pakistan via Attari until May 1, 2025.

The Attari ICP has historically been a vital conduit for trade and people-to-people exchanges between India and Pakistan. Its closure points to a substantial escalation in diplomatic tensions.

The Ministry of External Affairs is hosting a special briefing following CCS meeting

A minister in Pakistan’s Punjab government on Wednesday said her country is “fully prepared for any possible aggression” from India, implying that New Delhi could retaliate against it over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

“Any misadventure by India under false flag pretext will have dire consequences,” Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari said in a video clip, and also issued a press release.

The term “false flag” insinuates that India itself was behind the Jammu and Kashmir incident and it is meant to create an excuse for action against Pakistan, PTI reported.

On the Pahalgam terror attack, Jamil Maqsood, leader of United Kashmir People’s National Party, slammed Pakistan, saying that the country is still using terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism as its foreign policy tool and exporting terrorism into the region.”

#WATCH | Brussels, Belgium: On #PahalgamTerroristAttack, Jamil Maqsood, leader of United Kashmir People’s National Party, says, "...It is very unfortunate that Pakistan is still using terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism as its foreign policy tool and exporting terrorism into… pic.twitter.com/OQa4485Gps

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025

While multiple nations, including allies like US, Israel, and EU have shared their condolences for the victims and shown support for the people of India in the aftermath of the terorr attack in Pahalgam, Canada has been silent. There have been no public statements by the country’s government or government officials.

While Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre has indeed posted on X, the government itself has not even condemned the terrorism.

I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that took the lives of innocent civilians, including tourists and families.

Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected. Canada stands united against terror in all…

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) April 23, 2025

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists and said Europe stands with India.

“The vile terror attack in Pahalgam today stole so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to @narendramodi and every Indian heart grieving today.

“Yet I know that India’s spirit is unbreakable. You will stand strong in this ordeal. And Europe will stand with you,” she said in a post on X early on Wednesday.

Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The 26 deceased include at least one foreigner.

MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed the ruling BJP’s “politics of hate” was responsible for the terror attack in Jammu Kashmir’s Pahalgam in which 26 persons were killed.

Talking to reporters, Raut alleged that Amit Shah was a “failed home minister” and demanded his resignation.

Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included at least 1 foreigner.

The family members of some of the victims claimed terrorists asked their religion before shooting them down.

Asked about it, Raut said, “If terrorists ask for religion before killing people, then BJP’s politics of hate is responsible for it.” The politics of hate will “boomerang” someday, the Rajya Sabha member claimed.

“No one else is (responsible for it). This is a result of the hate that is being spread from West Bengal to Jammu Kashmir,” he charged.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said some people with nefarious intentions have tried to again “incite separatism and terrorism” in the Valley and asserted that his ministry will do the best to “minimise the dent” on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) here, he said he and his office are in “continuous touch” with the chief secretary and the tourism secretary of the Union Territory and keeping an eye on the situation.

Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called an all-party meeting in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the terror attack on Pahalgam. The meeting is set to take place on Thursday (April 24).

In the aftermath of the attack in Pahalgam I’ve called an all party meeting tomorrow afternoon. I have sent out letters of invitation to all major political parties, all honourable members of parliament from J&K & the leader of opposition in the J&K assembly. pic.twitter.com/05ouAN7IqD

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 23, 2025

Saudi Arabia condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in many deaths and injuries. pic.twitter.com/F2qP7br5WC

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Afghanistan has condemned the terror attack on Pahalgam saying such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability.

Remarks regarding recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir pic.twitter.com/aXAvl8Re4f

— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) April 23, 2025

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the funeral of the only local man killed in the Pahalgam attack. The 48-year-old Syed Hussain Shah was killed when he tried to wrest out a rifle from the hands of one of the gunmen.

VIDEO | Anantnag: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) attends the funeral of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed in Pahalgam terror attack.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#PahalgamTerroristAttack #pahalgamattack pic.twitter.com/C2JlvczBuo

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2025

In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, authorities are developing a plan to address the security “vacuum” by permanently deploying army and paramilitary forces in the mountains surrounding this popular tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley.

Officials in the security establishment have informed PTI that a realignment of security forces is necessary in preparation for the upcoming annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which begins on July 3.

Currently, there are no security forces stationed in immediate proximity to the meadows of the Bisaran Valley, which is surrounded by dense forests. The nearest units are from the 3rd battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the 116th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

It takes time for troops to reach the Bisaran area from their respective locations, which can be as far as 10 to 11 kilometers away. The area is only accessible on foot or horseback.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, made a stop at a hospital in Anantnag to meet people injured by the attack. Here are the visuals from his visit:

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets the injured of #PahalgamTerroristAttack at a hospital in Anantnag pic.twitter.com/fgjxmtHnMd

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025

The Indian Air Force took to social media platform X to convey condolences to his family.

All air warriors of the #IndianAirForce mourn the loss of Cpl Tage Hailyang in the terror attack at Pahalgam and convey heartfelt condolences to his family in this moment of immense grief.

The IAF stands in solidarity with the families of all those who lost their lives and prays… pic.twitter.com/T9B1g5xG3t

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 23, 2025

Punjab is currently on high alert following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a high-level security meeting on Wednesday to review the security arrangements within the state.

During a press conference after the meeting, Mann announced that security measures in Punjab have been strengthened.

“It is our duty to keep Punjab safe and secure…I want to assure people of Punjab that we will keep the state safe and secure,” he said.

Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal’s wife bids an emotional farewell to her husband. The officer was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday.

#WATCH | Delhi | Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal's wife bids an emotional farewell to her husband, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack

The couple got married on April 16. pic.twitter.com/KJpLEeyxfJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025