India Takes Diplomatic and Digital Action Against Pakistan Following Pahalgam Incident
In the aftermath of a deadly militant attack in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead—including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepalese national—India has taken a series of strong retaliatory steps against Pakistan.
Among the most notable actions is the blocking of the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pakistani government within Indian territory. Users attempting to access the account now see a message indicating it has been restricted due to a legal request.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest assaults on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, also left 17 others wounded and marked a major escalation in the restive region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In response, India has also announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—a pivotal 1960 agreement facilitated by the World Bank that governs the distribution of river waters between India and Pakistan. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated the treaty would remain suspended until Pakistan ceases its alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
The treaty, crucial for Pakistan’s irrigation and hydropower systems, had previously endured even during periods of war between the two nations. Its suspension could have severe implications for Pakistan’s water security.
Further intensifying diplomatic measures, India has shut down the only functional land border crossing with Pakistan, instructing those already in the country to exit by May 1. All existing South Asian regional visas held by Pakistani nationals have been revoked, and new travel permissions are suspended.
India has also expelled all defence officials from the Pakistani mission in New Delhi, declaring them persona non grata and granting them one week to leave. In a reciprocal move, India will scale down its diplomatic mission in Islamabad, reducing staff from 55 to 30.
These moves mark a significant downturn in already fragile India-Pakistan relations, with diplomatic, transport, and communication links now largely severed.
