Pakistan, India Going Tit for Tat Amid Tensions over Kashmir Attack

By Staff, Agencies

Pakistan has issued a series of retaliatory measures against India following accusations of "cross-border terrorism" linked to a deadly attack on Indian tourists in the Indian-administered Kashmir region.

India, earlier, suspended visa services to Pakistanis effective immediately, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that all existing visas issued to Pakistanis stand revoked.

The Ministry also advised Indian nationals in Pakistan to return at the earliest.

Tensions sharply escalated after New Delhi imposed sanctions on Islamabad, including suspending a water-sharing treaty and closing the mainland border.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Islamabad with top military officials, including Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, to formulate a response to India's actions.

"Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," read an official statement from Sharif’s office.

In response to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan warned that any attempt to block water flow would be considered an "act of war."

The Indus River water dispute remains a sensitive and volatile issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Islamabad stated it would respond with "full force across the complete spectrum of national power" if India interferes with the water supply.

Among the measures, Pakistan closed its airspace to India, effective immediately, banning all Indian-owned or operated airlines. The government also shut down the Wagah border crossing, halting all cross-border transit without exception.

"All trade with India including to and from any third country through Pakistan is suspended forthwith," the statement declared.

Pakistan’s National Security Committee also laid out comprehensive retaliatory actions, including expelling Indian diplomats and declaring Indian military advisers as "persona non grata," and cancelling visas for Indian nationals, except for Sikh pilgrims.

These steps follow India's moves to downgrade diplomatic ties, revoke visas for Pakistanis, and impose economic sanctions, all within 24 hours of the Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists.

Like India, Pakistan claims both the Indian- and Pakistani-ruled parts of Kashmir.

Indian police published notices naming three militant suspects and saying two were Pakistanis, without providing evidence or further details.