India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan including expulsion of its military attaches in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and firmed up the responses to the terror attack.
Indus Water Treaty In Abeyance
The CCS decided that 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, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a media briefing.
Attari Check Post Closed
The Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect, he said.
Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, he said.
Misri said "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, he said.
India's Advisors In Pak Withdrawn
India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and 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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.
Strength Cut At High Commissions In Pak
"The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1," he said.
Images Of Suspects Released
Security agencies have released images and sketches of three men suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Officials say the suspects, identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, also had codenames – Moosa, Yunus, and Asif. At least 26 tourists were killed and many others injured in the attack, one of the deadliest in the region in decades.
Amit Shah In J&K
Home Minister Amit Shah has visited the attack site at Baisaran and reviewed the security situation in the area. Earlier, Shah paid tribute to the victims, laying wreaths on their bodies. Shah also vowed retribution saying, “The culprits of the dastardly terror attack will not be spared.
(Inputs From PTI)
