Pakistan retaliates; Modi says will punish them beyond their imagination

Any attempt to divert water will be considered Act of War: Pakistan Pakistan suspends Simla Agreement, airspaces with India

Wife Ayushi mourns during the last rites of Neeraj Udhwani in Jaipur on Thursday. Pic: PTI

By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said any move to divert water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an Act of War as it announced the suspension of trade, bilateral accords, including the Simla Agreement, and airspaces with India, among other moves in retaliation to New Delhi's measures against the country in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

The announcements were made after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formulate the country's response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties after the Pahalgam terror attack.

The meeting was attended by key ministers and the three services chiefs.

"Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement, in abeyance...," said a statement released after the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.

The statement said Pakistan will close down the Wagah Border Post with immediate effect.

"All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30," it said.

Visa suspended

Pakistan also suspended all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) issued to Indian nationals and deems them cancelled with immediate effect, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims.

Indian nationals, barring Sikh pilgrims, currently in Pakistan under SVES, are instructed to exit within 48 hours.

Pakistan declared the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisers in Islamabad "persona non grata." They are directed to leave Pakistan by April 30.

Reduced strength

The strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be reduced to 30 diplomats and staff members, with effect from April 30, it said.  Pakistan's airspace will be closed with immediate effect for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines.

According to a statement issued after the huddle, the NSC categorically rejected India's unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the agreement vital for regional stability while emphasising that water is a crucial national interest and the lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis, affirming Islamabad's unwavering commitment to protect its water rights at all costs.

"Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of war," it said.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said there were reports that India was planning to target different cities through terrorist acts. “If our citizens are targeted then Indian people will also suffer,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Will punish terrorists and their backers 'beyond their imagination', says Modi

Madhubani (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that the killers of Pahalgam will be pursued “to the ends of the earth” and promised to “identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers”.

In his first speech after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, the prime minister vowed to punish terrorists behind the strike and said India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism.

Modi spoke briefly in English and said, "Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, 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."

In the stern message, he said, "Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us in these times."

Punishment be served

In a message to Pakistan without naming the country, Modi said he will state it categorically that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who hatched the conspiracy, they will be punished beyond their imagination. "Punishment will definitely be served."

The prime minister said the willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of patrons of terrorism.

Paying condolences to the victims and their families, he said citizens across the country are in mourning over the brutal manner in which terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Kashmir on April 22. The nation stands with their families, he said.

Modi, other leaders on the dais and the crowd observed silence to pay homage to the victims of the attack at the beginning of the prime minister's speech.

He said people lost their sons, brothers and husbands and noted that the victims belong to different parts of India, be it Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and Bihar.

"Our sorrow and anger are same from Kargil to Kanniyakumari," he said. Peace and security are the most necessary conditions for fast development, he added.

Simla Agreement

Pakistan pointedly mentioned the 1972 Simla Agreement that said differences will be settled through negotiations, and recognised the Line of Control between the two countries.

"Pakistan shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to the Simla Agreement, in abeyance till India desists from its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; transnational killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir,” it said.

Pakistan's stock market tumbles

Islamabad: Pakistan's stock market on Thursday witnessed a sharp dip, with the benchmark KSE-100 index closing at 115,019.81, down by 2206.33 points from the last close, amid brewing tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) took the hit, and the KSE-100 index plunged by 2,485 points early in the session, dropping to 114,740 points.

As the day progressed, the market showed signs of slight recovery, narrowing the loss to 1196 points. By midday, the current index was at 116,030.02 points.

However, it nosedived again and finally closed at 115,019.81, down by 2,206.33 points, or 1.92 per cent.

The sharp dip comes after the market touched an all-time high, crossing the 120,000 mark earlier this year. Observers said the bearish trend is expected to dominate the market until there is a sign of improvement in the current political and security situation with India.

Pak rangers detain BSF jawan

New Delhi: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Punjab border and talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials said on Thursday.

Constable PK Singh of the 182nd battalion was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers across the Ferozepur border on Wednesday, they said.

The jawan was in uniform and carried his service rifle. He was accompanying farmers when he moved ahead to rest in shade and was apprehended by the Rangers.

A flag meeting is on between the two forces to secure the release of the BSF jawan, the officials said.