Daijiworld Media Network- Srinagar
Srinagar, Apr 25: In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Srinagar on Friday to meet with the victims' families and assess the ground situation.
The visit comes shortly after Rahul Gandhi cut short his official trip to the United States, returning to New Delhi early Thursday morning in response to the national crisis.
Earlier in the day, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and to strategize a unified national response to the incident that has sent shockwaves across the country.
India has since taken a series of stringent diplomatic and strategic actions against Pakistan, which it holds responsible for continued support to cross-border terrorism. In a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ceases support for terrorism.
Further measures included the closure of the integrated Attari Check Post, expulsion of Pakistani High Commission officials—who have been declared persona non grata—and the cancellation of all visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). India has also ordered Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours, while visa services for Pakistani citizens stand suspended with immediate effect. All existing valid Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked effective April 27, 2025, according to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The country continues to mourn the brutal attack that took place on Tuesday, when terrorists opened fire on tourists at the scenic Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national. The massacre, one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama tragedy, left many more injured and has reignited public outrage and calls for justice.
Grieving families of the victims have appealed to the government for swift and decisive action against the perpetrators of what they have called a "senseless act of terror."
Rahul Gandhi's visit to the valley is expected to include meetings with the bereaved families and local leaders, and he is likely to address the media regarding the incident and the broader implications for national security.