India

Pahalgam attack: India stops visa service for Pakistani citizens, what steps did India take against Pakistan?

Thursday, 24 April 2025

India on Thursday, 24 April 2025 announced the suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens with immediate effect.

Giving this information, the Indian Foreign Ministry said, "The decision has been taken in view of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam." The Indian Foreign Ministry said that all the existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani citizens will be considered canceled from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani citizens will be valid only till 29 April 2025. Indian citizens are advised not to travel to Pakistan. All Indian citizens who are currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India as soon as possible."

On Tuesday, 22 April 2025, terrorists attacked Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir and killed 26 people. Many were injured. Most of the people killed were tourists.

Pahalgam is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Kashmir.

What steps did India take against Pakistan?

On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the Cabinet of Security Affairs headed by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi Many decisions were taken in the meeting of the Committee (CCS).

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that cross border linkages of this terrorist attack have been found. After this, India informed about the decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs.

Many decisions were taken in this meeting, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and closing the Attari border. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed about the decisions taken in the CCS meeting.

India has decided to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect. This decision will remain in force until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism in a credible manner.

India has also decided to close the Attari Integrated Check Post with immediate effect. The government has said that those who have come here on the basis of valid documents can go back through this route before 1 May 2025.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that now Pakistani citizens will not be able to travel to India on the basis of visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Visas previously issued to Pakistani citizens under SVES will be considered cancelled. All Pakistani citizens who are in India under SVES will have to leave India within 48 hours.

The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Force advisers of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata. They have been given a week's time to leave India. India is also recalling the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Force advisers of its High Commission in Islamabad. These posts will be considered abolished in both the High Commissions.

Five support staff of these military advisers will also be withdrawn from both the High Commissions.

The number of employees in the High Commissions will be gradually reduced from 55 to 30. This decision will come into effect from May 1, 2025.

The CCS reviewed the security situation in India and asked the security forces to remain extremely vigilant.

It was said in the meeting that strict action will be taken against those who conspired for the Pahalgam attack.

Pahalgam attack: Pakistan takes strict steps in response to India's action

Thursday, 24 April 2025

After the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has also announced to take several steps in response to India's action against Pakistan.

Several decisions were taken in the National Security Council meeting held in Islamabad on Thursday, 24 April 2025, under the chairmanship of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

These include the announcement of suspending bilateral agreements with India, closing airspace and borders and suspending trade.

Like India, Pakistan has also asked defense advisors and their assistants to leave the country. Also, it has limited its diplomatic staff.

The statement of this meeting rejected India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, saying that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water of Pakistan's share under this treaty would be considered an act of war and would be responded to with full force.

The statement said that in view of India's reckless and irresponsible behaviour of willfully disregarding international conventions, UN Security Council resolutions and international obligations, Pakistan will exercise the right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Agreement, until India desists from its behaviour of promoting terrorism within Pakistan, committing killings abroad and non-compliance with UN resolutions on Kashmir.

Pakistan has announced the immediate closure of its airspace to all airlines owned or operated by India, as well as the immediate closure of the Wagah border.

However, as per the announcement, those who have crossed the border into India with valid documents can return through this route till April 30, 2025.

Pakistan has suspended all visas granted to all Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Waiver Programme, except Sikh pilgrims, and said these should be treated as cancelled. Indian nationals residing in Pakistan on such visas have been directed to leave the country within 48 hours.

Further, the announcement said that all trade with India is also being suspended and this will also apply to trade through any third country.

Pakistan has also declared Indian defence/military advisers in Islamabad as persona non grata and asked them to leave the country immediately, while the support staff of these advisers have also been directed to return.

According to the announcement, the number of staff at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad will be limited to 30 from April 30, 2025.

Pakistan's National Security Council has said that in the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan are futile, irrational and a sign of logical failure.

The statement also said that Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism without any discrimination and has suffered heavy losses as a leading country in the world against terrorism.

The Council says that India's clichéd narrative of being a victim cannot hide its culpability in promoting terrorism on Pakistani soil nor can it divert attention from the systematic and human rights violations taking place in India's Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has said that contrary to Indian claims, it has irrefutable evidence of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, including the confession of former Indian Navy officer Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack will not be spared: Modi. India's internal matter: Pakistan

Terrorists attacked tourists in Indian Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in the deadliest attack on civilians in several years. At least 28 people were reported killed in firing by terrorists on tourists in Indian Kashmir.

Several others were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds after the attack in the resort town of Pahalgam in southern Kashmir.

The tourists had gone to visit the nearby Baisaran Valley, which can only be reached on foot or on horseback.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, has directed the Union Home Ministry to take all necessary steps in response.

Police are blaming terrorists for the attack, which is being described as the biggest attack targeting civilians in the region in recent years.

According to news agency PTI, security has been tightened in India's capital Delhi after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Officials said that this step has been taken as a precaution.

Delhi Police has increased security across the city after the attack.

Strict checking and monitoring is being done especially at tourist places and city borders so that any suspicious activity can be caught immediately.

On the other hand, security personnel are searching vehicles at various places in the Kashmir Valley and extensive barricading has been done on the roads.

Pictures and videos of protests against the attack are also coming from many areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Some people in Pahalgam have also expressed anger over the candle march attack.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi gave this information on his X account.

He wrote, "I spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir PCC President Tariq Hameed Karra about the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Took full information about this attack.''

"The families of the victims should get justice and we will give them full support.''

After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi has returned to India, cutting short his Saudi Arabia tour.

Narendra Modi left for a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

He has described the Pahalgam attack as a 'terrorist attack' and said that 'those responsible for the attack will not be spared.'

As soon as he reached Delhi, he held an emergency briefing meeting to get information about the situation.

According to news agency ANI, the situation has been discussed with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already reached Kashmir.

After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Chamber and Bar Association Jammu has called for a Kashmir bandh. Their announcement has been supported by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has shared information about supporting the Kashmir bandh on its X account.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference wrote in its post, "On the instructions of the party president, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has joined the collective appeal for a Kashmir bandh, strongly condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack. We appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to make the strike called by religious and social leaders a complete success."

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote, "The Chamber and Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete bandh in protest against the horrific terrorist attack on tourists. I appeal to all Kashmiris to unite to support this bandh in honour of the innocent people killed in the brutal attack in Pahalgam.''

"This attack has not happened on a few people but on all of us. We are united in grief and anger and fully support this bandh to strongly condemn the killing of innocent people.''

After the attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the government of Pakistan has given its first reaction.

Pakistan said in its statement, "We are deeply saddened by the death of tourists in the attack in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by India. We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.''

Apart from this, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had spoken to a Pakistani news channel on the Pahalgam attack.

He had said that Pakistan has nothing to do with this attack. He had called it an internal matter of India.

India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, to pay tribute to the dead. He also met the families of the deceased.

Also, on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, Amit Shah also reached Baisaran area, which is about five kilometers away from Pahalgam and where the terrorist attack took place.

At the same time, Congress MP KC Venugopal also reached Srinagar to pay tribute to the dead. Here he talked to journalists on the Pahalgam attack.

He said, "We have come here to pay tribute to the dead. This incident is very sad and condemnable. People of the whole country are with the victim families. We all stand firmly with our countrymen.''

Several people killed in a crowd crush at India’s Mahakumbh religious festival

Wednesday, January 29, 2025  
At least 30 people have been killed and 60 injured in a stampede at a Hindu religious festival in northern India.
 
The Mahakumbh is believed to be the world's largest gathering and is taking place in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

About 400 million people are expected to attending during the coming weeks.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports.

What did the Supreme Court say in the case related to the well of Sambhal Jama Masjid complex?

Friday, January 10, 2025

The Supreme Court of India on Friday, January 10, 2025 ordered not to change the status of the well located in the Jama Masjid complex of Sambhal in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna was hearing the matter.

The Supreme Court bench was hearing a petition filed by the Masjid Committee, which said that the 'Sambhal District Administration' is running an alleged campaign to revive old temples and wells.

The Masjid Committee argued that the report indicates that at least 32 old temples have been revived in which no worship is done now or which are closed. At the same time, 19 such wells have also been identified which are being opened for public prayers / use.

The mosque committee has also said that the well of Sambhal mosque is also part of this list. Half of this well is in the mosque. Therefore, the committee has appealed to the court to direct that no action should be taken in the matter of this well without the order of the court.

The Supreme Court will hear the next case on 21 February 2025.

Senior advocate Huzaifa Ahmadi, representing the mosque committee, told the Supreme Court that in the notice of Sambhal Municipality, the mosque has been described as Hari Mandir and worship can be started in it soon. On this, the Supreme Court said that this will not be allowed, and the Supreme Court also asked to submit a status report in the matter.

However, the bench told Huzaifa Ahmadi that he would have to allow others to take water from the well. On this, Huzaifa Ahmadi expressed apprehension that the well could be dug.

In response to this, the CJI verbally said that this is not allowed.

What is behind the Canada-India fallout?

Monday, October 21, 2024
Assassination claims, diplomatic expulsions, and mounting tensions: Canada accuses India of orchestrating the killing of a Sikh activist on its soil, igniting a diplomatic standoff. With both nations at odds, the Sikh community is caught in the middle. How are they navigating this, and what does the blame game mean for their future and security?

In this episode:

    Jaskaran Sandhu, World Sikh Organization

Supreme Court of India takes a tough stand on bulldozer action, what did the Supreme Court say?

Monday, 2 September 2024

The Supreme Court of India on Monday, 2 September 2024 made a strong comment on the matter of alleged bulldozer action against the property of the accused in many states of India.

A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanath of the Supreme Court said that how can someone's house be demolished just because he is an accused.

A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanath has said that the Supreme Court will set guidelines on the basis of which whenever demolition action is needed, it will be done on that basis.

Justice BR Gavai asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is representing the government of the state of Uttar Pradesh, "How can someone's house be demolished only on the basis that he is an accused in a case?"

Justice Gavai further said, "Even if a person is guilty, his house cannot be demolished without following the due process of law."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, said that the action of demolishing any building has not been taken because that person was accused of any crime.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that 'We have shown through affidavit that the notice was sent long ago.'

Tushar Mehta, while explaining in detail, said that the demolition process is an independent matter which has no connection with any crime.

On the other hand, the petitioners' lawyers Dushyant Dave and CU Singh replied that the houses were demolished because they are accused in a case.

The bench, meanwhile, verbally said that there are laws to demolish any building, but it has been seen to be 'violated more often'.

The Supreme Court bench has also clearly said that, "We will set guidelines for the whole country, but this does not mean that we will protect any unauthorized construction.''

The bench has asked both the parties to come to it with suggestions to set guidelines in this matter and the next hearing of this case has been fixed on 17 September 2024.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has given his opinion on the proceedings of the Supreme Court on Monday, 2 September 2024.

Rahul Gandhi posted on the social media site X, "The Supreme Court's comment on the BJP's unconstitutional and unjust bulldozer policy is welcome. The anti-constitutional face of the BJP, which has crushed humanity and justice under the bulldozer, has now been exposed in front of the country."

Rahul Gandhi said that it is often the households of the Bahujans and the poor who fall under the wheels of the bulldozer, which is being run with the intention of establishing the 'rule of fear' under the guise of 'instant justice'.

Rahul Gandhi expressed hope that the Supreme Court will issue clear guidelines on this very sensitive issue.

Senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan has also commented on this matter.

Prashant Bhushan wrote on X, "The Supreme Court should be praised for finally understanding this threat to the rule of law. Bulldozers are being used to demolish justice."

Former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has posted on the social media website X.

Akhilesh Yadav has written - 'The scales of justice' are bigger than the 'bulldozer of injustice'.

Congress leader and former MP Udit Raj has also given his statement on this matter.

Udit Raj said that whether there is an accused or the allegation is proved, when the bulldozer action has started, then what is the need of the court and the constitution.

Udit Raj told news agency IANS, "This reminds of the barbaric era that there is dictatorship in the country and there is no constitution. The court should decide whether the house should be demolished or not, whether to go to jail or not, whether to impose a fine or not."

Udit Raj said, "If the officials start taking decisions at the behest of the leaders or the government, then what is the need of the constitution, courts and law books?"

After opposition's protest, Modi government requested UPSC to cancel lateral entry

Tuesday, 20 August 2024

After talking to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, Minister of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Jitendra Singh has written a letter to the UPSC Chairman.

It has been requested to cancel the advertisement for recruitment through lateral entry.

It is written in the letter that the PM believes that the process of lateral entry should be based on the ideals of equality and social justice enshrined in our Constitution, especially regarding the provisions of reservation.

It is written in it that the Prime Minister believes that reservation in government jobs is the cornerstone of our social justice framework, which aims to promote inclusiveness.

UPSC recently issued advertisements for appointments to 45 posts of senior officers.

These posts are of Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary level. Those opposing such appointments say that due to the lack of reservation in these, the rights of the backward, Dalits and tribals will be taken away.

What did the Congress say?

The Congress has posted on its official X account. It reacted to this letter requesting to cancel the lateral entry.

The Congress wrote in the post, "The Constitution has won. The Modi government was conspiring to recruit without reservation in lateral entry, but now this decision has to be withdrawn. Once again the Modi government has had to bow before the Constitution.''

The post further reads, "This anti-reservation decision was openly opposed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA alliance. Due to this, the Modi government has had to withdraw this decision. This is the victory of Baba Saheb's Constitution. This is the victory of every Dalit, exploited and backward.''

What did the Supreme Court say on the Kolkata rape-murder case?

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The Supreme Court heard the Kolkata rape-murder case in India on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

This hearing was conducted by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

According to news agency PTI, the Supreme Court said, "It seems that the crime was detected in the early hours. The principal of the medical college tried to call it a suicide.''

The Supreme Court said, "Most young doctors work for 36 hours. We should develop a national protocol to ensure a safe working environment.''

The Supreme Court said that if women are not able to go to work and are not safe at the workplace, then by doing so we are depriving them of the right to equality.

The Supreme Court also expressed concern that the name of the victim has been printed everywhere in the media.

The Supreme Court asked how the principal of RG Kar Hospital was immediately appointed to another college when his conduct was under investigation.

The Supreme Court also raised questions on the Kolkata Police. The Supreme Court said how a crowd of thousands entered the RG Kar Medical College.

The Supreme Court has reprimanded the Government of the Indian state of West Bengal for delaying the registration of FIR in the case. The Supreme Court asked what the hospital administration was doing.

The Supreme Court has constituted a 10-member task force to prepare a national protocol. Its job will be to ensure the safety and facilities of doctors.

The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to give a status report of the investigation in the rape-murder case and the West Bengal government to give a status report on the investigation of the mob attack on RG Kar Hospital. Its date has been set as 22 August 2024.

The Supreme Court said that the West Bengal government was expected to maintain law and order and keep the incident site safe. But it is not understood why the state could not do so.

The Supreme Court said that the government should ensure that the miscreants who attacked RG Kar Hospital are arrested and an FIR is registered against them.

Many plans are being made from India to crush the revolution in Bangladesh: Bangladesh Nationalist Party

International Criminal Tribunal decided to investigate nine people including Sheikh Hasina

Tuesday, 20 August 2024

Bangladesh's main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party has criticized India for giving asylum to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir has said that by giving asylum to Sheikh Hasina, India has backtracked on its promise of commitment to democracy.

Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir said, "Many plans are being made from India to crush the revolution in Bangladesh."

Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir said that it will take some time to repair the devastation caused by the Awami League in the country. His party will give enough time to the interim government for this.

Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post and fled to India on 5 August 2024 amid student agitation and violence against reservation in Bangladesh and has been in India since then.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) has decided to investigate nine people, including Sheikh Hasina, in cases related to the anti-reservation movement in Bangladesh.

All have been accused of murder, genocide and torture. The father of a student during the anti-reservation movement filed this petition on Wednesday, 14 August 2024.

Professor Asif Nazrul, Advisor on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to the Interim Government, on Wednesday, 14 August 2024 Said that a trial will be initiated against the accused in the International Criminal Tribunal.