'Punishment bigger than ... ': PM Modi's warning rattles Pakistan as suspense builds up over India's retaliatory action

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Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, India has taken decisive steps signaling a strong response against Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi vowed to punish the terrorists and their backers, leading to the suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals and the revocation of existing visas.

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday rattled Pakistan amid strong signals of a buildup to a Pulwama-type retaliation, or even a stronger response, to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent tourists.

The stage was set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who echoed the anger of the nation when he declared that “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers” and will “pursue them to the ends of the Earth” to punish them “beyond their imagination.”

The Prime Minister’s strong message was followed by a slew of coutermeasures to convey a clear message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism..

Visa services to Pakistani nationals stopped with immediate effect
All existing valid visas to Pakistani nationals revoked with effect from April 27
Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals to be valid only till April 29
Indians advised to avoid traelling to Pakistan
Indian nationals already in Pakistan urged to return home at the earliest

These moves followed five key decisions that were announced a day earlier on Wednesday and included

Keeping in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960
Closing of integrated checkpost at Attari with immediate effect
Declaring defence, military, naval, and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata and given a week’s time to leave India
Reducing the overall strength of the high commissions to 30 from the current 55
Withdrawing permission to Pakistani nationals to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme

In 2019, India had struck terrorist camp in Balakot with airstrikes – its first such strike deep inside Pakistan since 1971. This after at least 40 paramilitary personnel were killed in Pulwama. Earlier in 2016, India had carried out “surgical strikes” targeting terror launch pads after the Uri attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed.

The bruatlity of the attack in Pahalgam left the country in shock and anger. The Kashmir valley witnessed an unprecedented display of public sentiment with a widespread spontaneous protests against the killings.

India’s strong buildup to a possible retaliatory action left Pakistan rattled and it announced several face-saving measures.

Pakistan put the Simla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India on hold
It suspended all trade
Closed its airspace for Indian airlines
Closed the Wagah border post
Cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES)
Asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave

Islamabad has also said any attempt to divert the water meant for it under the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered an Act of War. But India is determined to punish the Pahalgam attackers and those backing them. The government has the backing of all opposition parties in its fight against terrorism and India’s response is likely to be “loud and clear” as Union defence minister Rajnath Singh had said yesterday.

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