The North News
New Delhi, April 24
India has suspended access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pakistan government after a deadly terrorist strike in Pahalgam. The move came a day after India announced sweeping diplomatic and strategic retaliations, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and scaling down official representation. The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yesterday finalised the measures amid growing outrage over the killings of civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials described the blocking of Pakistan’s social media presence in India as a clear signal of zero tolerance for propaganda or provocation.
This is not the first instance of India’s action against Pakistan’s digital presence — the official X account of the Pakistan government was previously blocked in the country in March 2023, as well as in July and October 2022.”
Speaking to the media yesterday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India had also suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan credibly renounces terror support. India also announced to close its Attari Integrated Check Post — the primary land crossing between the two nations. Pakistani citizens currently in India may exit through it until then.
Visa exemptions under the SAARC framework have also been revoked for Pakistani nationals, who must now leave within 48 hours if in India under that scheme.
In a coordinated diplomatic pullback, Pakistan’s military advisers have been declared persona non grata and given seven days to leave. India will simultaneously withdraw its own defence staff from Islamabad, and both missions will reduce staff numbers to 30. India has placed its security forces on high alert and reiterated its intent to bring those behind the Pahalgam attack to justice.
Referencing the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a suspect in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the government underscored its commitment to international cooperation against terrorism.
