In the wake of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives, India has responded with swift and decisive action. The latest developments mark a fierce payback to Pakistan, signalling a firm stance against cross-border terrorism and escalating tensions in the region.

1. INDUS WATERS TREATY SUSPENDED

The Indus Waters Treaty, in place since 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. It divides the Indus river system into eastern (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and western (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) rivers. India has now suspended the treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack, demanding that Pakistan permanently end support for cross-border terrorism.

Under Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan was granted unrestricted use of Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, while India was allowed unrestricted use of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. India suspended the treaty following Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan could lose access to 135 million acre-feet of water annually, which feeds farms of Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh. It can trigger widespread drought and food shortages.

2. ATTARI-WAGAH BORDER CLOSED

The Wagah-Attari border crossing, the only road link between the two nations, has been shut down. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said those who have already crossed the border with valid documents can return via the same route before May 1.

3. PAK MILITARY ADVISORS EXPELLED

India has declared all Pakistani military, naval, and air advisers in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as “persona non grata” and has given them a week to leave the country. In diplomacy, a persona non grata (PNG) is a foreign diplomat who is asked by the host country to be recalled to their home country

4. INDIAN MILITARY ADVISORS IN PAK WITHDRAWN

India has also withdrawn its own military advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.

5. SVES VISAS CANCELLED

The Exteran Affairs Ministry on April 23 announced that all Pakistani nationals holding SAARC visas were ordered to leave India within 48 hours, and future travel under this scheme has been prohibited.

6. REDUCTION OF DIPLOMATIC STAFFS

India will reduce its diplomatic staff in Pakistan from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025, signaling a significant downgrading of diplomatic relations. Further, the diplomatic staff in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi will also be reduced to 30.

7. All VISAS CANCELLED

On April 24, the Indian government decided to suspend the visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. India’s external affairs ministry stated that all visas issued to Pakistani nationals would be revoked from April 27 and medical visas will remain valid until April 29.

The government later clarified that the decision to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals doesn’t apply to Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals.

8. BSF REDUCES CEREMONIAL DISPLAY AT BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY

BSF has scaled down the ceremonial display during the beating retreat ceremony at Attari in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and Sadki in Fazilka, in Punjab. There will be no gate opening during the retreat ceremony. Additionally, no handshake will be done after lowering the Indian flag at the time of sunset.

9. PAKISTANI YOUTUBE CHANNELS BANNED

India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. As per government sources, these channels were spreading provocative and communally sensitive content. The banned channels Geo News, Dawn, Raftar, Bol News, Uzair Cricket, The Pakistan Reference, Razi Naama, and Samaa Sports, ARY News, Samaa TV, Suno News. Furthermore, YouTube channels of journalists Muneeb Farooq, Umar Cheema, Asma Shirazi and Irshad Bhatti have been banned. Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘100mph’ has also been blocked. These channels had a total of 63 million subscribers.

10. INDIA RETALIATES AGAINST FIRING

After India announced several actions against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan have violated ceasefire for three straight days. On the intervening night between Saturday and Sunday, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC. Indian Army retaliated against the firing effectively.

To watch updates on the issue, visit- https://www.youtube.com/@KnowIn10/shorts

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