NEW DELHI: Following India’s firm diplomatic response to the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan resorted to issuing threats on Thursday, warning India against any “misadventure.”
This comes after India implemented several stringent measures against Pakistan for its role in the attack that claimed 26 innocent lives.
Pakistan’s deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar made provocative statements during a press conference, claiming their army was “ready for any challenges.”
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“If there is any challenge to Pakistan in any context, then our army is ready for it. And no one should remain under this misconception — a fitting and immediate response will be given,” Dar said.
“Whatever actions they have taken, we have responded to each and every one of them. And beyond that, we have immediately closed our airspace for Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines. If anyone tries any misadventure, then they have already tried that in the past. The outcome they faced then — what they will face next will be even worse,” he added.
Pakistan defence minister Khawaja went one step ahead and said, “If even one of our citizens has been martyred in an Indian attack, we will make them pay through their noses.”
India’s robust response included summoning Pakistan’s top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and declaring their military diplomats persona non grata.
India noted evidence of cross-border linkages in the attack and said the assault came “in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.”
As part of its response, India suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, shut the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect, and halted Pakistani access to travel under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).
The government also suspended all kinds of visas for Pakistani nationals and asked them to leave the country by April 27. However, medical visas will be valid for an additional two days and will stand revoked on April 29.
“In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Meanwhile, in a show of India’s military prowess, the Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Surat successfully tested a medium-range surface-to-air missile with an approximate range of 70 km. The Indian Air Force (IAF) also executed ‘Exercise Aakraman,’ a comprehensive operational drill across the central sector, featuring its premier fighter aircraft, including the Rafale jets.
“In what marks the most devastating terrorist incident since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, 26 tourists lost their lives, and several others were wounded on April 22. The attack unfolded at Baisaran Meadow, a popular tourist destination situated 7 kilometers from the Pahalgam resort town.
The assault occurred at around 1.30pm while tourists were enjoying the scenic meadow, known for its snow-capped mountains and pine forests. Despite robust security measures, including multiple checkpoints and armed patrols in the area, the terrorists managed to breach the security cordon and carry out the attack in this otherwise peaceful tourist destination.
