Breaking News
Pakistan Ramps Up Tensions: Boots Indians, Seals Wagah, Bans Flights After Pahalgam Attack
New Delhi, April 24 – Pakistan has slammed the door on India, ordering Indians on SAARC visas to leave within 48 hours, sealing the Wagah-Attari border, and barring Indian flights from its airspace. The sharp moves hit a day after India’s diplomatic blitz following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which killed 28 civilians, mostly tourists.
Pakistan’s Retaliatory Measures – Key Actions
- SAARC Visa Crackdown: Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme—business folks, officials—must exit by April 26; Sikh pilgrims spared.
- Wagah-Attari Shutdown: The border, a lifeline for trade and pilgrims, is locked tight, halting Samjhauta Express and cargo.
- Airspace Slam: Pakistan’s skies are off-limits to Indian airlines, forcing costly reroutes.
- Diplomatic Slash: Pakistan cut India’s High Commission in Islamabad to 30 staff by April 30 and expelled Indian defense advisors.
Official Justification
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry called it “self-defense” against India’s “provocative” steps, sidestepping the Pahalgam attack—blamed on The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy.
Impact on Citizens & Trade
- Stranded Indians: Students and medical tourists in Lahore and Islamabad are scrambling for flights via Dubai or Doha.
- Trade Freeze: Cross-border trade, worth crores yearly, is stalled, hitting Punjab’s farmers with rotting produce.
- Flight Chaos: Air India and IndiGo are looping over the Arabian Sea, adding up to 90 minutes and fuel costs per flight.
India’s Response
- MEA Pushback: India slammed Pakistan’s “overreach” tied to Kashmir’s internal security ops.
- Next Moves Brewing: Talks of scrapping Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation status or tighter visa rules are swirling.
- Military Posture: Troops along the Line of Control are on high alert after mortar fire in Rajouri.
Behind Pakistan’s Power Play
- Army’s Grip: Hardliners, facing a sinking economy, are flexing to rally domestic support.
- SAARC Stumble: Pakistan aims to kneecap India’s sway before the October 2025 Kathmandu summit.
- Kashmir Signal: The moves nod to militant groups, hinting at backing after Pahalgam’s carnage.
Global Reactions
- US Plea: Washington urged both sides to cool it and talk, stressing de-escalation.
- China’s Hush: Beijing’s mum, despite its CPEC bets needing India-Pakistan stability.
- SAARC Wobble: Nepal and Bangladesh fret over regional ties fraying.
What’s Next?
- Evacuation Rush: Indians face a 48-hour scramble to catch flights out.
- Economic Sting: Prolonged airspace bans could nudge up fuel and crude prices.
- War Fears: Memories of 2019’s Balakot airstrike loom as both sides dig in.
The Pahalgam attack’s fallout has India and Pakistan on a knife’s edge, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Stay tuned for what’s next.
