India ready to take on Pak-sponsored terrorism with full force

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India will deliver a fiery response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. Notably, a similar warning was issued by the Prime Minister 11 days before the surgical strike across the Pakistan border on September 29, 2019.

As a signal of India's readiness for military action, the Indian Navy conducted a missile test from a warship in the Arabian Sea. The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has moved toward Pakistani waters. It has the capacity to carry 40 fighter jets, 10 helicopters, and 64 missiles. Simultaneously, India conducted large-scale aerial drills in the Central Sector.

To assess the security situation, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today. The central government in Delhi has held several emergency meetings in response.

Following earlier announcements, India has initiated measures against Pakistan, including suspending visa processing for Pakistani nationals. All Pakistani citizens must leave India by the 27th. Medical visas will remain valid only until April 29.

At a public event in Madhubani, Bihar, Prime Minister Modi indirectly addressed Pakistan, stating:
"The terrorists and conspirators will face punishment far beyond what they can imagine. Terrorism will never crush the soul of India. The will of 1.4 billion Indians will wipe out terrorism. No matter where on Earth they hide, India will pursue them." He also thanked the citizens and leaders of countries that supported India.

Missile test from INS Surat
Shortly after Modi’s speech, the Navy released visuals of a missile test from the warship INS Surat, commissioned this past January. The missile launched from the ship successfully destroyed an aerial target in the Arabian Sea. It was a medium-range surface-to-air missile designed for aerial defence.

India explains its stance

• Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed President Droupadi Murmu on the situation.
• Ambassadors of the U.S., Russia, France, China, Canada, Japan, Germany, Poland, the U.K., Italy, Qatar, and EU countries were summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to be briefed on the terrorist attack and India’s stance.

Pakistan's response

• Suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement, which mandates respect for the Line of Control (LoC).
• Halted all bilateral agreements with India.
• Banned Indian flights from entering Pakistani airspace.
• Closed the Wagah border.
• Suspended trade with India.
• Ordered Indian military attachés to leave Pakistan by April 30.
• Banned Indian citizens, except Sikh pilgrims, from entering Pakistan.