The visas that were already active They will lose validity On April 27, while those granted for medical reasons will expire on April 29. Besides, New Delhi He issued a warning to his citizens: avoid traveling to Pakistan and return “as soon as possible” if they are already there.
Another key measure was the Suspension of the Indo Water Treatysigned in 1960 with mediation of World Bankwhich regulates the use of six shared rivers: three assigned to India and three to Pakistan. The pact had resisted previous wars and was considered one of the few cooperation ties between the two countries.
Warnings from Pakistan
For his part, Pakistan soon react. After a meeting of National Security Committeeheaded by the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifthe government considered that any Alteration of the river flow shared would be “An act of war“In an official statement, he described the Indian decision as” unilateral and hostile “and denied having links with the attack.
“Any movement to divert water will face all force Through the entire spectrum of national power, ”said the committee. In turn, the Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif He affirmed that “India, instead of a total war, prepares to carry out terrorist attacks In our cities. We are fully prepared for that terrorist wave. It will be an eye for an eye. ”
Asif also warned that if a Pakistani citizen dies from an action planned by India, “We will make you pay an eye on your face”.
Pakistan breaks bilateral agreements
The answer of Islamabad included the cancellation of all bilateral treaties with Indiaincluding the Simla agreement of 1972signed after the war of 1971. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that the dialogue will not resume while persisting what it called “belligerent behavior“On the part of New Delhi.
Among other measures, the Pakistani government immediately closed the border crossing of Wagah (called Attari on the Indian side), he expelled the defense advisors of India and reduced the staff of the High Indian Commission in Islamabad to 30 peoplewith term until April 30.
Also revoked all Visas issued to Indian citizensexcept those granted to Sijs pilgrimsand gave them 48 hours To leave the country. In addition, he announced that he will close his airspace to all airlines owned by India or operated by Indian companies.
Crossing accusations and threats
In his first public statement after the attack, the prime minister Narendra Modi described the attack as “A direct affront to national security“And promised justice:”India will identify, track and punish each terrorist and who support it. We will persecute them to the Earth’s confines”
The Indian Foreign Ministry accused Pakistan of promoting the cross -border terrorismand said that those responsible for the attack had links with militant groups settled in their territory. For its part, Islamabad He rejected those accusations for considering them “without evidence.”
From the prime minister’s office Sharifhe National Security Committee issued a warning: “Any threat against the sovereignty of Pakistan and the security of your people will receive in response firm reciprocity measures”
The Minister ASIF reinforced the message: “India is freeing a low intensity war. If they intensify the scale, we are prepared. To protect our land, we will not yield to any international pressure”
The authorship of the attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF)group that, according to Indiaact as a screen of the Lashkar-E-Taiba (let) militant groupbased on Pakistan. The latter was accused of his participation in the attacks of Bombay in 2008that left more than 170 dead.
Protests in New Delhi
In New Delhi, protesters took to the streets after the attack. In front of the High Commission of PakistanIndian flags waved and exhibited posters with phrases like “Below Pakistan” and “We will not bend before terrorism”The police established a security cord around the diplomatic headquarters.
India protests 2.jpg
EFE
In Kashmir, the atmosphere was filled with fear. Many inhabitants feared a new wave of repression. “We know the pattern. Every time something like that happens, the common puppy ends paying the price“, said Fayaz Ahmadteacher in the district of Anantnagin statements to the agency EFE.
“We don’t have Nothing to do with weapons or violence. We just want to raise our families, send our children to school and sleep peacefully at night, ”he said.
The authorities deployed military reinforcements, They installed more Control stalls And they performed records in homes. Some citizens denounced harassment and arbitrary arrests.
Residents of the valley and other regions described the response as a Collective punishment. The Indian authorities held the attack on an alleged collaboration between Pakistani local and operational militants.
From 1989a separatist insurgency caused tens of thousands of deaths In this region that remains one of the most serious voltage spotlights in the world.
Manifestations in Pakistan after Indian threats
In turn, thousands of people protested in different cities in Pakistan last Thursday, even in sectors of Kashmir under Pakistani controlin rejection of India’s actions after the attack.
In Lahorenear the main crossing with India, some 700 people They concentrated on a demonstration organized by a religious party. “If India wants to go to war, do it openly”, Said the businessman AJMAL BALOCH To the agency TOFP.
The control of water It was another of the central claims. “Water is our right and, if God wants, we will recover it, even if that means going to war. We are not going to go back”, He said.
Pakistan protests.jpg
AFP
In Muzaffrabadcapital of the Kashmir administered by Pakistan, around 300 protesters They marched with banners. “If India makes the mistake of attacking, the Pakistani purse will be on the first line. We are ready to die for Pakistan, ”said Shoukat Javed Mir, leader of the Pakistan people party.
In Quettacapital of Baluchistannails 150 people They joined the protests to repudiate the measures taken by the Indian government after the attack.
Source: Ambito
