New Delhi – A day after 26 folks have been killed and lots of others injured in an assault by suspected Pakistan-based militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir, India introduced it can put a key river water sharing settlement on maintain.
India’s Exterior Affairs Ministry stated on Wednesday night time that the Indus Water Treaty “will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” The suspension of the 1960 World Financial institution-brokered treaty would imply India would cease the water provide of Indus River and its tributaries – the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj – to Pakistan, impacting tens of millions of individuals in that nation
The selections have been taken by India’s Cupboard Committee on Safety, the nation’s prime protection choice making physique headed by the Prime Minister.
Tuesday’s assault in picturesque Pahalgam space of Indian-controlled Kashmir left 26 folks useless – 25 of them vacationers – and 17 others injured, when suspected militants opened fireplace on them, in keeping with Indian authorities within the area. Nearly all of the victims have been Hindus.
ANI/Reuters
The brazen assault – one of many worst in Kashmir’s historical past – at one in every of its hottest vacationer spots, dotted with meadows and surrounded by glaciers, has shocked India and been condemned by leaders all over the world.
Indian safety forces unfold out throughout Kashmir a day after the assault, as police, military and paramilitary forces continued their manhunt for the perpetrators. Many companies have been closed Wednesday to protest the brutal assault on civilians, heeding a name from Kashmiri non secular teams and political events.
A lesser-known militant group known as The Resistance Entrance claimed duty for the assault on social media. CBS Information can not independently confirm the declare. India media retailers reported the group was backed by Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
Pakistani nationals requested to go away, visas cancelled
Along with the suspension of the water treaty, India additionally ordered all Pakistani nationals at the moment within the nation to go away inside 48 hours and gave per week to the Navy Advisors within the Pakistani Excessive Fee in New Delhi to exit India. India stated it can additionally recall its personal army advisors from Islamabad.
“These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled,” stated an Indian Exterior Affairs Ministry assertion. The ministry stated each the excessive commissions can be down-staffed from present 55 to 30.
India has additionally determined to shut the Built-in Test Put up Attari, a key street hyperlink between the 2 nations.
“Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025,” the ministry stated in an announcement.
The Kashmir battle
Kashmir is claimed in full by each India and Pakistan, however every nation has managed its personal portion of the mountainous area for many years.
The scenic Himalayan area has been hit recurrently by militant violence since an armed anti-Indian insurgency started in 1989. The simmering battle has claimed tens of hundreds of lives over greater than three a long time.
TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Tuesday’s assault on the standard vacationer magnificence spot got here when tourism within the Kashmir area was selecting up. The final main assault occurred in June 2024, when 9 folks have been killed and 33 injured as militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims.
Eight pilgrims have been killed and 19 injured in the same assault within the area in 2017, when militants attacked a bus carrying them again from the well-known Amarnath Cave Temple in south Kashmir.
Widespread condemnation
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged his assist for India after the lethal assault.
“Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media. “The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism.”
The assault got here as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, alongside along with his spouse Usha and their kids, paid a largely private go to to India. Vance met earlier within the week with India’s chief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Usha Vance is a working towards Hindu whose dad and mom are from India.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest,” Prime Minister Modi stated in a social media publish on Tuesday. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
Leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, France, Italy and the UAE have additionally expressed condemnation.
