Pahalgam terror attack: Govt Suspends Indus Water Treaty & More

In a strong response to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the government of India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and has taken four other steps to convey its strong displeasure with Pakistan over its link with terrorists. On 22 April 2025, at least five terrorists killed 26 tourists, including one from Nepal, after being identified as Hindus. 

The banned Resistance Front (TRF), linked with Pakistani terrorist group  Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which investigates terror incidents in India, has started a probe into the incident.

Meeting of the CCS 

A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) was held on 23 April 2025 at the Prime Minister's residence, located at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting. It was attended by the Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, and others.

Decisions taken at the CCS are as follows.

Immediate Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty 

India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 immediately, unless Pakistan completely stops its support for cross-border terrorism.

About the Indus Water Treaty 

• The Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 with the mediation of the World Bank.
• The River Indus and its five tributaries were divided between India and Pakistan. 
• The west-flowing rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, have been allocated to Pakistan, while the east-flowing rivers, Sutlej, Ravi, and Beas, have been allotted to India.
• However, India can use the river waters allocated to Pakistan, subject to the provisions of the treaty.
• India has initiated several hydroelectric projects on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, including Salal, Baglihar, Uri, Chutak, Nimoo Bazgo, Kishanganga, Pakal Dul, Miyar, Lower Kalnai, and Ratle, which Pakistan has objected to.
• The Treaty has not been abrogated but put on hold. There is no provision in the Indus Water Treaty for the abrogation of the treaty itself.

Closure of Integrated Check Post at Attari 

The Integrated Check Post in Attari, Punjab, is India’s first Land Port and the only permitted land route for border trade with Pakistan, as well as the cross-movement of people.

• It connects the Wagah in Pakistani Punjab with Attari in India. 
• The total trade through the land port in 2023-24 was Rs 3886.53 crores, and around 72,000 people crossed the border.
• Indian goods exported through Attari include plastic yarn, vegetables, chicken feed, soybeans, and other agricultural products. India imports dry fruits, cement, gypsum, and rock salt from Pakistan.
• Goods imported from Afghanistan, such as fruits and dried fruit, are also transported through the Attari land port.

Suspension of the SAARC Visa scheme 

The SAARC Exemption Visa Scheme for Pakistanis has been suspended. Pakistani nationals who are in India on a Visa have been asked to leave within 48 hours.

• The SAARC Exemption Visa scheme was launched in 1992.
• Currently, 24 categories of dignitaries from the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries, including judges of higher courts, Parliamentarians, Senior Officials, Businessmen, Journalists, and sportsmen, are issued special visas. 
• These visas are valid for one year.
• The SAARC comprises India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.

Strength of the High Commission reduced 

The strength of the Pakistan High Commission will be reduced to 30 from the current 55 by 1st May 2025.

• There has been no High Commissioner of India in Pakistan since 2019. 
• Following India's abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Pakistan expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria. 
• Since then, no India High Commissioner has been appointed to Pakistan.

Defence attachés to be withdrawn 

The Defence attaché in the Pakistani embassy in India has to leave the country within a week. India will also remove its defence attachés from the Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

• Defence attaches are members of the armed forces —Army, Navy, or Air Force —of a country who are posted in their country’s embassy abroad.
• They enjoy diplomatic status and are usually responsible for all aspects of bilateral military and defence relations. 
• The Indian action suggests a complete break in military ties.

About TRF 

TRF or the Resistance Front is a terrorist organisation that is seen as a front of the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) of Hafiz Saeed.

• It was formed in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• LeT was involved in the Mumbai attack, and one of the conspirators of the Mumbai attack, Tahawwur Rana, was recently extradited to India.
• The government of India banned TRF in January 2023 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. 
• The Commander of the TRF, Sheikh Sajjad Gul, has been declared a terrorist under the provisions of  UAPA, and the National Investigation Agency has offered a bounty on him.

Also Read 

India seeks to review and modify the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan 

Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana brought to India from the US