Diplomatic tension escalates as India orders immediate departure and visa revocation for Pakistani nationals, granting them a three-day grace period.
Let's break it down:
The Indian Ministry's sudden visa ban for Pakistanis comes under the shadow of a diplomatic meltdown, triggered by an insurgent attack on tourists last Tuesday in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in 28 unfortunate deaths. An Indian soldier lost his life during a skirmish with suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir regions. Indian PM Modi declared a firm stance, pledging to thoroughly indict every single terrorist and their accomplices.
Tourist tragedy in Kashmir:
Disturbingly, 26 tourists lost their lives, and another 13 were injured due to a shooting incident in Kashmir's treacherous terrain. Modi spokes on the crisis, expressing that India will relentlessly pursue and punish each terrorist and their confederates, adding that terrorism will not break the spirit of India.
This catastrophe led Indian PM Modi to call for a meeting of all political parties across India on Thursday, in an attempt to achieve unity over the situation instead of focusing on politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government hasn't commented on the meeting yet.
Saying farewell to Kashmir's innocent victims:
Eyewitnesses shared harrowing stories of the tourists scrambling and screaming for help in the gruesome attack, which took place around 5 kilometers from Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir.
Authorities identified three suspected attackers, with two believed to be Pakistan nationals, prompting India to offer a substantial reward for any information leading to their capture.
Other Indian retaliations:
New Delhi accused Pakistan of being implicated in the attack, with evident transborder connections. On Wednesday, New Delhi took a series of actions in counter-response:
- The Attari border crossing was closed.
- Several Pakistani diplomats were expelled.
- Pakistani defense, military, naval, and air attachés were given a week to leave India.
- The Pakistani government's official X account was blocked in India.
The digital modeAttack in Kashmir:
Alarmingly, the attack was claimed by an unnamed insurgent group on social media. The region has been a breeding ground for conflict between India and Pakistan for decades.
The fragile Indus Waters Treaty:
Adding another layer to the crisis, India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, which regulates water usage between the two countries. This move might negatively impact Pakistan's farmers who rely heavily on the shared water sources.
Bollywood bands Pakistan artists:
In a stern move, the Federation of Film Employees of India declared an indefinite ban on Pakistani artists. The organization represents employees of Bollywood, which is also the world's largest film industry. The anti-Pakistan stance extends to affiliated associations, and any cooperation with Pakistani personnel could result in disciplinary action.
Pakistan faces the storm:
In a swift response, Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack and enacted their own embargoes:
- All trade with India, including via third-party intermediaries, was halted.
- Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines.
- Limiting the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to 30 diplomats and staff was implemented.
- The Pakistani government labeled Indian naval and air defense advisors as persona non grata.
- Any attempts to obstruct or divert Pakistani waters will be considered an act of war.
- Pakistan has reserved the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement signed in 1972.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister will meet the Indian embassy, while Pakistan's Defense Minister expressed readiness for escalation and rejection of international pressure.
Unmasking the attack:
The obscure insurgent group responsible for the attack claimed responsibility through social media. Indian police are currently investigating the incident in coordination with local authorities.
The conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has been active since 1947, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Insurgent attacks in Kashmir have continued since 1989, reflecting the persistent instability in the region.
- The Indian Ministry's sudden visa ban for Pakistanis raises questions amidst a diplomatic crisis, instigated by an insurgent attack in Kashmir, leading to 28 fatalities.
- Modi condemned the Kashmir attack and vowed to apprehend every terrorist, pledging that terrorism won't deter India's resolve.
- In the wake of the Kashmir tragedy, Modi summoned political parties for a national meeting, urging unity in the face of the crisis instead of focusing on politics.
- Reports detail the harrowing stories of tourists caught in the gruesome Kashmir attack, located near the popular destination, Pahalgam.
- India offered a substantial reward for information leading to the capture of the three suspected Kashmir attackers, with two believed to be Pakistan nationals.
- New Delhi reacted swiftly with a series of actions, including closing the Attari border, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and ordering the departure of Pakistani military attachés.
- The unnamed insurgent group responsible for the attack used social media to claim responsibility, adding another layer to the decades-old conflict between India and Pakistan.
- Pakistan denied involvement in the attack and retaliated with their own embargoes, including halting all trade, closing airspace to Indian airlines, and reserving the right to suspend bilateral agreements with India.
