One week of Pahalgam terror attack: 10 key developments as India-Pakistan ties hit new low

NEW DELHI: It has been a week since terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam claimed lives of 26 people including a foreign national from Nepal. Tensions between India and Pakistan have since escalated, with ties hitting a new low between the two countries.
Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours plummeted after The Resistance Front (TRF), proxy outfit of Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed's Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack in years on civilians in Kashmir. The group later backtracked from their claim.
PM Modi gives complete freedom to armed forces to avenge Pahalgam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gave the Indian armed forces complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 civilians.
During the high-level meeting, which Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan and chiefs of all three armed forces attended, PM Modi affirmed that "it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism".
"PM Modi expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian armed forces. The Prime Minister said that they have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response," reported news agency PTI.
High-level meeting at home ministry
Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, Union home secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday, PTI reported citing sources. The meeting was attended by the heads of key paramilitary forces and senior officials from other security agencies.
Among those present were Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) Brighu Srinivasan, and Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera. Additional Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Anupama Nilekar Chandra also participated in the discussions.
Each of the attending forces plays a critical role in India's border and internal security architecture: the BSF is tasked with securing the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh; the SSB guards the frontiers with Nepal and Bangladesh; the Assam Rifles oversees the border with Myanmar; and the NSG is India’s elite counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue force.
Firing at LoC enters fifth consecutive day
Unprovoked firing across the Line of Control has been taking place for five consecutive days, with the Indian Army retaliating in J&K. The firings since Friday have occurred in areas opposite Kupwara and Baramulla districts.
"Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control", stated the Indian Army on Tuesday, saying that the gunfire took place in areas opposite Kupwara and Baramulla districts, as well as in the Akhnoor sector. India said its troops "responded in a measured and effective manner to the provocation".
Anti-terror operations intensified
Security forces have intensified their anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley following the incident.
The Jammu and Kashmir police conducted raids at 13 locations in the Doda district on Monday morning to target terrorist hideouts and individuals connected to terror activities.

Terrorists' houses destroyed
Security forces in Kashmir demolished houses linked to active terrorists as part of an intensified crackdown. A total of nine homes have been razed with the help of dynamites and plastic explosives.
Srinagar Police carried out extensive searches at multiple residences of terrorist associates linked to banned outfits. These searches were conducted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to disrupt terror-supporting infrastructure.
India blasts Pakistan at UN over Pahalgam attack
India hit out at Pakistan at the United Nations, highlighting Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif's "open confession" about his country's role in supporting and training terrorists. Speaking at the UN, Yojna Patel specifically referenced Asif's televised confession about Pakistan's history of terrorist support.
"It is unfortunate that one particular delegation has chosen to misuse and undermine this forum. To indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India. The whole world has heard Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif, admitting and confessing Pakistan's history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organizations in a recent television interview," Patel said.

Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, affecting a crucial water-sharing agreement that has been in place since 1960.
The suspension of the IWT impacts a World Bank-brokered agreement that has governed water distribution between the two nations for over six decades. Under this treaty, Pakistan received approximately 80% of the total water flow, which is vital for agriculture in its Punjab and Sindh provinces.
Pakistan responded by declaring that any attempt to divert water allocated to them under the treaty would be considered an "act of war."
Simla Agreement suspended
Pakistan responded by suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement. The Simla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, was a crucial peace treaty between India and Pakistan following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The agreement was signed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla.
The treaty emerged in the aftermath of the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh after East Pakistan's secession following India's intervention. The agreement was designed to restore peace and normalize relations between the two neighboring countries.

Pakistani visas suspended
The governmen suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals, requiring them to leave India by April 27. Medical visas remain valid until April 29.
The government also advised Indian citizens currently in Pakistan to return as soon as possible.
Diplomacy takes an ugly turn
In diplomatic measures, India designated Pakistan's top diplomats as persona non grata and ordered the expulsion of three Pakistani military attaches. Additionally, Pakistan was asked to reduce its high commission staff in New Delhi from 55 to 30 personnel, following a previous diplomatic downgrade in 2020.

Pakistan ready for neutral probe into Pahalgam attack: Sharif
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said that his country is willing to participate in a neutral, transparent, and credible investigation, while criticising New Delhi for leveling “baseless allegations” against Islamabad without verifiable evidence.
Addressing graduating cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Sharif said, “Nobody should remain under any false pretence. Our armed forces are fully capable and prepared to defend the country against any misadventure, as demonstrated by our resolute response to India in Feb 2019.” Sharif's remarks were in reference to Pakistan’s retaliation following the Pulwama attack.

London investigating Pak diplomat's throat-slitting gesture directed at Indian protesters
The Metropolitan Police in London is investigating a macabre throat-slitting gesture made on Friday night by Colonel Taimur, army and air adviser at the Pakistan high commission in London, which was directed towards Indian-origin protesters angry about the Pahalgam terror attack.
Armed with placards saying “I am Hindu”, they were shocked to find the high commission had organised a counter protest and plugged in a massive loudspeaker to blast out songs to drown out their chants.