In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, security forces across northern India have heightened their vigilance, with Rajasthan’s border districts and Uttarakhand’s tourist hotspots entering a state of high alert.
Sri Ganganagar, positioned along the Indo-Pak border, has emerged as a critical point of concern. Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the district has activated heightened security protocols. "Being a border district, Sri Ganganagar remains a sensitive zone. Following the Pahalgam incident, we are operating in full alert mode. Weapons inventories—especially long-range firearms—have been thoroughly inspected, and all lodging facilities including hostels and dharamshalas have undergone intensive checks,” SP Yadav told ANI.
Simultaneously, Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, part of the Kumaon region and a popular tourist destination, has seen an increased deployment of personnel. Inspector General Riddhim Agarwal reported that the region has been placed on a stringent watch, with reinforced monitoring at public spaces and critical points. "Instructions have been sent to all district SSPs to conduct uninterrupted surveillance at public gathering spots. Border check posts are under constant watch, and our intelligence apparatus is actively engaged. All movement in and out of key zones is being closely observed," she stated.
India’s response to the attack has gone beyond internal security. In a decisive move, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance, announced a slew of retaliatory actions targeting Pakistan’s support of cross-border terrorism.
The most notable measure includes the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan permanently ceases its backing of terrorism. Additionally, the integrated Attari Check Post has been sealed, marking a significant downturn in bilateral ties.
India has further expelled Pakistani diplomats from the High Commission, declaring them persona non grata and mandating their departure within seven days. Visas granted under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) have been annulled, and Pakistani nationals in India on these permits have been ordered to exit within 48 hours.
The Ministry of External Affairs has also declared a complete halt to visa issuance for Pakistani citizens, effective immediately. Furthermore, all existing Indian visas held by Pakistani nationals will stand revoked starting April 27, 2025.
The deadly assault in Pahalgam, which unfolded on Tuesday in the serene Baisaran meadow—a popular site for tourists—has been labeled one of the gravest terror incidents since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The attack left 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen dead, with numerous others injured. It also stands as one of the most severe assaults post the abrogation of Article 370.
As India grapples with the grief and fury sparked by this latest act of terror, its internal and external measures reflect a government resolute in its pursuit of security and justice. The message from New Delhi is unambiguous: those who harbor or support terror will face consequences beyond the battlefield.