New Delhi, India – Tensions between India and Pakistan reached a new peak on Thursday as the Indian government suspended all visas for Pakistani citizens and ordered them to leave the country within 72 hours—extendable to five days for medical cases—amid a rapidly escalating diplomatic crisis. The move follows a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, the worst in the region in over two decades.
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According to an official statement, all visas issued to Pakistani citizens under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme were revoked as of April 27, with medical visas extended until April 29. India has also urged its citizens in Pakistan to return immediately and advised against any travel to the neighboring country.
The Indian response comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, following Tuesday’s attack. India has directly blamed Pakistan for the massacre and announced a series of retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, the closure of the land border, partial suspension of travel permits, and most significantly, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing agreement in place since 1960.
In a fiery public address, Modi vowed swift justice: “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their supporters. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
Pakistan Responds with Visa Suspension, Diplomatic Expulsions, and Military Posturing
In retaliation, Pakistan suspended all visas for Indian nationals, expelled Indian diplomats, sealed its land border with India, and closed its airspace to Indian airlines. The measures were announced after a meeting of the National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by top political and military leaders.
Pakistan also issued a stern warning regarding India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling any attempt to block or divert water from the Indus River system “an act of war.” The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has endured despite several wars and decades of hostility. It grants Pakistan access to about 80% of the basin’s water—critical to its agricultural sector.
“Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water will be met with full force,” warned the Pakistani government.
Military Tensions Rise
Amid the escalating rhetoric, Pakistan’s Navy announced live-fire naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, near the port of Gwadar. The drills, which include both surface and subsurface firing, began early Thursday morning and are scheduled to conclude Friday evening, raising concerns over possible military provocations.
Historical Backdrop
The latest flashpoint revives deep-rooted tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir—a conflict that dates back to the partition of British India in 1947. Both countries claim the territory in full but control only parts of it. Since 1989, Indian-administered Kashmir has experienced an armed insurgency, with New Delhi consistently accusing Islamabad of supporting militant groups—charges that Pakistan denies.
This week’s events mark the sharpest escalation since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which also sparked a military standoff. With both nuclear-armed nations taking hardline stances, international observers are closely watching the situation, fearing further deterioration in regional stability.
As both governments double down on national security and diplomatic retaliation, hopes for immediate de-escalation remain slim.
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