Pakistan has halted trade and India has revoked visas as tit-for-tat retaliatory actions ramp up between the two powers after an attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people.
The victims were mostly Indian tourists who had been visiting Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Indian-held part of the territory, which both nuclear-armed nations claim as their own.
In response to the attack, India closed a border crossing, suspended a water-sharing treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan – which it blames for the assault.
The Indian government did not publicly produce any evidence connecting the attack to its neighbour, but said it had “cross-border” links to Pakistan.
Pakistan has denied accusations it was behind the attack and a previously unknown militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility.
On Thursday India’s foreign ministry said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals would be revoked, effective from Sunday.
It also advised Indian citizens not to travel to Pakistan.
Pakistan responded by saying it was closing its airspace to all Indian-owned and operated airlines and suspending all trade with India – including to and from any third country.
Similarly, it also announced the cancellation of all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme – which allows some people to have a “Special Travel” document exempting them from visas.
‘Act of war’
The moves are just the latest escalation of tensions between the two, as Pakistan warned that any suspension of water supplies by India would be viewed as an “act of war”.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee to respond to India’s measures.
He warned that any attempt to disrupt the Indus Waters Treaty would be met with “full force” from Pakistan.
Pic: Reuters/Stringer
‘Ends of the Earth’
It comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to pursue those responsible “to the ends of the Earth”.
Speaking on Thursday at a public meeting in the eastern state of Bihar, he said: “I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.
“We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.
“India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
