FIle photo of Union Home Minister Amit Shah paying his last respects to the deceased of Pahalgam terror attack, in Anantnag.
New Delhi/Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting today in New Delhi to review the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir, directing heightened vigilance and assessing cross-border linkages. Attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who cut short her U.S. visit, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the meeting evaluated the attack’s ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba and ordered intensified anti-terror operations.
In the meeting with the CCS, the cross-border implications of the terrorist attack were emphasized, particularly as it followed the successful elections in the Union Territory and its positive trajectory towards economic growth. The CCS then established a series of measures to address the situation.
In light of the gravity of the recent terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has implemented several decisive actions: Firstly, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be suspended immediately until Pakistan unequivocally renounces its support for cross-border terrorism.
Secondly, the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed without delay, allowing individuals who have valid endorsements to return via this route before May 1, 2025.
Thirdly, Pakistani nationals will be barred from entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), with all previously issued SVES visas to Pakistani citizens being revoked. Those currently in India on SVES visas must exit the country within 48 hours.
Additionally, the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared Persona Non Grata and are required to leave India within a week.
India will also withdraw its Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, rendering these positions void.
Furthermore, the total number of personnel at the High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025.
The CCS assessed the overall security landscape and instructed all forces to remain vigilant. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. Following the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will persistently pursue individuals involved in terrorist activities or those who have facilitated such acts.
The government’s response, from Shah’s engagement to Naidu’s efforts and Singh’s assurances, underscored India’s commitment to justice.
The deadliest civilian attack in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, it prompted a manhunt, with sketches of suspects Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha released today. The death toll remains under verification, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noting ongoing assessments.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined local police in probing the attack, offering a Rs 20 lakh reward for information on the terrorists.
Earlier today, upon returning from Saudi Arabia, Modi held an emergency meeting at Delhi airport with Doval, Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to coordinate initial responses and direct a manhunt for suspects, reflecting India’s resolve to combat terrorism.
The CCS meeting’s focus on cross-border linkages reflected concerns about external support, with Modi’s airport meeting setting the stage for coordinated action.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the nation that those responsible for the attack will face a “befitting reply,” emphasising India’s zero-tolerance policy. Speaking at a memorial lecture on Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Arjan Singh in New Delhi on 23 April 2025, Singh stated that the Government will pursue not only the perpetrators but also their conspirators, asserting, “Every Indian is united against this cowardly act.” He warned of historical lessons for nations supporting cross-border terrorism, saying, “History is witness to the withering away of nations due to their own misdeeds,” and expressed deep condolences for the victims.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid his last respects to the deceased in Srinagar on 23 April 2025, meeting families of victims and visiting injured survivors at the Government Medical College in Anantnag. Shah, who inspected the attack site at Baisaran meadow and received a detailed briefing from security officers, reiterated that “Bharat will not bend to terror” and vowed that the culprits will not be spared. He expressed the nation’s collective grief, stating, “Every Indian feels the pain of losing loved ones in this terrorist attack, and this sorrow cannot be expressed in words,” underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting affected families.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu facilitated the evacuation of tourists from Srinagar, coordinating with Shah and monitoring the situation round the clock. Four special flights—two to Delhi and two to Mumbai—were arranged today, with additional flights on standby. Naidu held an urgent meeting with airline operators, issuing an advisory against surge pricing to ensure regular fare levels. He directed airlines to cooperate with state governments to transport deceased victims to their home states, ensuring no passenger faces an undue burden.
Naidu’s measures addressed stranded tourists, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo waiving cancellation and rescheduling charges until April 30, 2025. Srinagar airport handled 20 departures between 6 AM and 12 PM on 23 April 2025, evacuating 3,337 passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued advisories for connectivity, and extra tents supported waiting passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation remained on high alert, ensuring food, water, and assistance.
The attack occurred when two to three terrorists, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, opened fire on tourists at Baisaran meadow, 4 km from Pahalgam, killing 26 people, including tourists from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, a Nepali national, and a local pony ride operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who died protecting tourists.
In Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each deceased victim’s family, Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries. Abdullah called an all-party meeting for April 24, 2025, to express joint condemnation. A region-wide shutdown on 23 April 2025, the first since 2019, saw trade bodies and political parties protest the killings. Security was intensified across Jammu, with deployments at transport hubs and tourist sites.
As India mourns the loss of innocent lives, including a newly-wed Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official, the nation remains steadfast. The CCS and airport meetings, alongside ministerial actions, signal a unified approach to addressing the Pahalgam attack’s aftermath and preventing future threats.
– global bihari bureau
