India has said it has revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals following a deadly attack by gunmen in Kashmir that killed 26 people.
The victims were mostly Indian tourists who had been visiting Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Indian-held part of the territory, which both nuclear-armed nations claim as their own.
In response to the attack, India closed a border crossing, suspended a water-sharing treaty and downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan – whom it blames for the assault.
The Indian government did not publicly produce any evidence connecting the attack to its neighbour, but said it had “cross-border” links to Pakistan.
Pakistan has denied accusations it was behind the attack and a previously unknown militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility.
On Thursday India’s foreign ministry said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals would be revoked, effective from Sunday.
It also advised Indian citizens not to travel to Pakistan.
‘Ends of the Earth’
The move is just the latest escalation of tension between the two, as Pakistan warned that any suspension of water supplies by India would be viewed as an “act of war”.
It comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to pursue those responsible “to the ends of the Earth.”
Speaking on Thursday at a public meeting in the eastern state of Bihar, he said: “I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.
“We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.
“India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
Image: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Madhubani in the eastern state of Bihar. Pic: Reuters/Stringer
‘Act of war’
Also on Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee to respond to India’s measures.
Afterwards, he warned that any attempt to “to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty” would be considered an act of war and his country would respond with “full force”.
Pakistan also announced it was closing its airspace to all Indian owned and operated airlines and it suspended all trade with India – including to and from any third country.
Similarly, it also announced the cancellation of all visas under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
