Thu Apr 24 13:20:00 UTC 2025: ## India Rejects Indus Waters Treaty, Vows Retaliation After Deadly Kashmir Terror Attack
**Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, April 24, 2025** – A devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, triggering a swift and forceful response from the Indian government. The attack has led to widespread grief and condemnation both domestically and internationally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Bihar, vowed severe punishment for those responsible, stating that the perpetrators and their conspirators “will be punished beyond their imagination.” This sentiment was echoed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who briefed President Droupadi Murmu on the incident.
In a significant escalation, India announced it was suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, a move immediately condemned by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office as an “act of war.” Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights and suspending all trade activities. Pakistan’s National Security Committee, meanwhile, maintained that Kashmir remains an unresolved dispute and that Kashmiris have a right to self-determination, while condemning the attack but dismissing any link to Pakistan without credible evidence.
The attack prompted an all-party meeting in New Delhi, where government officials briefed political leaders and heard their views. Similar meetings were held in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing together various political parties to condemn the violence and address its fallout. Several states are taking measures to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students in the wake of the incident.
The tragedy has also had a significant impact on Kashmir’s tourism industry, with a new survey revealing that 60% of families with planned trips to the region have cancelled their bookings. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani offered free treatment to those injured in the attack at Reliance Foundation Sir HN Hospital in Mumbai.
India also revoked all existing visas for Pakistani nationals and is expelling Pakistani military attaches. The Foreign Secretary briefed envoys from various countries, highlighting India’s “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism. The US issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage and calls for decisive action against terrorism, while simultaneously raising concerns about intelligence failures and the safety of Kashmiris living elsewhere in India. Evacuation efforts are underway to bring stranded tourists back to their home states. The incident continues to unfold, with ongoing investigations and retaliatory measures shaping the situation.
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