Amidst India-Pakistan Tensions, Pakistan Government's Official X Account Suspended in India; Action Deemed a Digital Strike Following Pahalgam Terrorist Attack.
Pahalgam Terror Attack: A terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, a renowned tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, sent shockwaves across the nation. Twenty-six innocent people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in this horrific attack. This tragedy not only caused immense grief but also significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan.
The steps taken by the Indian government demonstrate a shift from mere dialogue to decisive action. Several significant decisions followed the attack, most notably the suspension of the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pakistan government in India. This action is being viewed as a digital strike.
What Happened in Pahalgam?
On April 22nd, unidentified terrorists launched a heavy weapons attack in the Beasaran area of Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-six people were killed instantly, and several others sustained critical injuries. The victims were tourists enjoying the scenic beauty of Kashmir.
This terrorist attack not only caused widespread suffering but also ignited a wave of anger across the nation. Social media was flooded with calls for a b response against Pakistan.
India's Digital Strike: Ban on X Account
In response to the attack, India took several significant actions on diplomatic and digital fronts. One such action was the suspension of the Pakistan government's official X (Twitter) account in India.
Now, users in India cannot access the Pakistan government's official handle. This move is being termed a digital strike, as the response is not through conventional weaponry but through technology and media.
This action signals India's intensified strategy across all fronts – from physical borders to virtual spaces.
Other Strong Measures Taken by India
India's response extended beyond the digital strike, encompassing stringent measures on diplomatic, water, and border fronts against Pakistan.
1. Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
India decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. The decision, taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that India would not implement the treaty as long as Pakistan continues to support cross-border terrorism.
2. Closure of the Attari Border
India ordered the immediate closure of the Attari border, a key crossing point for trade and people between India and Pakistan.
3. Cancellation of SAARC Visa Scheme
India revoked all visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) to Pakistan and ordered Pakistani citizens to leave the country within 48 hours.
4. Diplomatic Actions
India declared the defense, naval, and air attachés working in the Pakistan High Commission as persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. Simultaneously, India recalled its defense, naval, and air attachés from its High Commission in Islamabad.
