Top Five Steps India Has Taken in Response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack as of April 24 2025

India’s Iron Fist: How the Nation Responded to the Pahalgam Terror Attack

India mourns the tragic loss of 26 lives in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, a brutal assault on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran meadows. In a powerful response, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) unleashed five decisive actions to hold Pakistan accountable, signaling India’s unyielding resolve against terrorism.

The serene meadows of Baisaran, often called Kashmir’s “Mini Switzerland,” turned into a scene of horror on April 22, 2025. Twenty-six lives, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen, were brutally snuffed out by terrorists linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Among the fallen was Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Navy officer, married just a week prior, whose heartbreaking story became a symbol of the nation’s grief. The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest since Pulwama in 2019, wasn’t just an assault on innocent lives—it was a direct challenge to India’s progress in Jammu and Kashmir, where recent elections and booming tourism signaled hope.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, returned to Delhi with fire in his heart. On April 23, he chaired a 2.5-hour Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, joined by heavyweights like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The room was thick with resolve: India would not bow. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri later stood before the press, his voice steady but laced with defiance, announcing five unprecedented actions to punish Pakistan’s alleged role in the attack. These weren’t just policies—they were a roar of a nation wounded but unbroken.

1. Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty: A Game-Changer

India dropped a bombshell by suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a pact that allocates 80% of the Indus River system’s water to Pakistan. “Until Pakistan credibly abjures cross-border terrorism,” Misri declared, the treaty is in abeyance. This move could choke Pakistan’s agricultural heartland in Punjab and Sindh, where millions depend on these waters. It’s a high-stakes play, signaling India’s willingness to use economic leverage to demand accountability. For a nation tired of terror, it felt like a long-overdue stand.

2. Shutting the Attari-Wagah Border: A Symbolic Slam

The Attari-Wagah border, a historic crossing marked by vibrant ceremonies, was closed with immediate effect. Those with valid endorsements have until May 1, 2025, to return. This isn’t just about trade or travel—it’s a symbolic severing of ties. The daily flag-lowering ceremony, a tourist draw, now feels like a relic of a fractured relationship. For Indians, it’s a gut-punch reminder: peace cannot coexist with terror.

3. Expelling Pakistani Diplomats: A Diplomatic Earthquake

India declared Pakistan’s defense, military, naval, and air advisors in New Delhi “Persona Non Grata,” giving them a week to leave. India’s own advisors in Islamabad will return, and both high commissions will shrink from 55 to 30 staff by May 1. This slashes Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint, curbing its ability to influence or gather intelligence. It’s a bold flex of sovereignty, showing India’s fed-up with diplomatic niceties while terror festers.

4. Canceling SAARC Visas: Closing the Door

Pakistani nationals lost access to the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with existing visas canceled and those in India given 48 hours to leave. This move isolates Pakistan within the SAARC framework, a regional bloc meant to foster cooperation. For India, it’s a clear message: no free pass for a nation linked to terror. The streets of Delhi echoed with protests, as traders called for a bandh on April 25, their anger palpable.

5. Cranking Up Security: A Manhunt in Overdrive

On the ground, the Indian Army, police, and paramilitary forces launched a relentless manhunt for the seven suspected terrorists, including four to five Pakistani nationals. Security was tightened at tourist spots nationwide, with Delhi on high alert. Home Minister Shah, fresh from visiting Baisaran, vowed to dismantle the “entire ecosystem of terrorism.” The Anantnag Police offered a ₹20 lakh reward for tips on the attackers, as the nation rallied to protect its people.

A Nation United in Grief and Grit

These actions aren’t just policy—they’re a reflection of India’s soul. The CCS meeting, held at Modi’s 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence, was a turning point. Rajnath Singh’s promise of a “loud and clear” response echoed in every Indian’s heart. The all-party meeting on April 24, where leaders like Rahul Gandhi joined the fold, showed rare unity. Even global leaders—US Vice President JD Vance, UK’s Keir Starmer, Russia’s Vladimir Putin—condemned the attack, standing with India.

Yet, the road ahead is fraught. Pakistan’s National Security Committee, led by PM Shehbaz Sharif, is set to meet, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif hinting at a counter-response. Analysts warn of escalation, recalling India’s surgical strikes post-Uri (2016) and Balakot (2019). The 2021 LoC ceasefire hangs by a thread. But for now, India’s actions scream resolve: no more tolerance for terror.

Why This Matters to You

The Pahalgam attack hit more than a meadow—it struck India’s spirit. For readers, this is a call to understand the stakes. Tourism, a lifeline for Kashmir, saw 35% of bookings canceled overnight. Families mourn, and a nation demands justice. These five actions are India’s vow to protect its people, but they also ask us to stay vigilant, support our forces, and push for a world where meadows remain places of peace, not pain.

Sources:

• The Times of India, April 24, 2025
• The Hindu, April 22, 2025
• India TV, April 23, 2025
• The New Indian Express, April 23, 2025
• Al Jazeera, April 23, 2025