Attari border closed, Indus Water Treaty suspended; India responds to Pak after Pahalgam terror attack

India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty and closed the Integrated Check Post at Attari besides cutting down its diplomatic engagement with Pakistan in a response to its neighbour after the Pahalgam terror attack.

It announced the move to lower the strength of the high commission staff in Delhi and Islamabad to 30 as against the present 55.

In a special briefing to unveil the decisions taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the terror attack, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the CCS had reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil.

"The CCS resolved that perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and its sponsors held to account," Misri said.

Among immediate measures India has taken in response to the attack by Pakistan-trained terrorists is immediate suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. "The Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly abjures support for cross-border terrorism," Misri said.

He announced that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. "Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return though that route before May 1," the Foreign Secretary announced.

Pakistan nationals will not be permitted to travel to India on SAARC visa exemption scheme and all such visas to Pakistan nationals will be deemed cancelled. "Those in India on this visa category have 48 hours to leave India," said Misri.

He said the CCS had decided to declare defence, naval, military and air advisers in the Pakistan High Commission persona non grata and they have a week to leave India.

"India will also withdraw these advisers from the High Commission in Islamabad. These posts are deemed annulled. Support staff of these advisers also will be withdrawn from the high commissions. The overall strength of the high commissions will be brought down to 30 from 55 effective May 1," he said.