New Delhi [India]: A solemn two-minute silence was observed during the all-party meeting held in the national capital on Thursday to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali national and 25 Indians.
The meeting, convened by the Central Government, was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and brought together leaders from across the political spectrum to deliberate on the aftermath of the deadly terror strike in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam.
Prominent attendees included Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, BJP President JP Nadda, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Representatives from Samajwadi Party, NCP, RJD, DMK, BJD, AAP, TMC, YSR Congress, and others also participated in the high-level dialogue.
The Pahalgam terror attack, carried out on April 22, has been described as the most brutal act of terrorism in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike. The victims, mostly tourists, were gunned down in a shocking ambush at a scenic tourist spot in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
In response to the attack and the alleged cross-border involvement, India has taken a series of diplomatic and strategic countermeasures:
- Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan held in abeyance.
- Integrated Attari Check Post closed with immediate effect.
- Pakistani High Commission staff, including military advisors, declared persona non grata.
- All SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals cancelled.
- Pakistan nationals in India given 48 hours to leave.
- India’s visa services for Pakistani citizens suspended immediately.
- All valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked as of April 27, 2025.
These measures were decided at the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the government’s intent to send a strong message to Pakistan over its alleged support for terrorism.
The all-party meeting aimed to build national consensus on India’s response and underscore the unity of purpose in confronting terrorism and ensuring justice for the victims.