Amid Pahalgam attack row, Pakistan to carry out missile test off Karachi coast; Indian agencies keep a close eye: Report

Pahalgam terrorist attack: Amid the attack that claimed 26 lives on Tuesday, and with India responding with stern actions, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and closure of the Attari check post, Pakistan will carry out a missile test off the Karachi coast on April 24–25, which Indian agencies are closely monitoring.

News agency ANI, citing defence sources, reported that Pakistan has issued a notification for a surface-to-surface missile test off its Karachi coast, within its Exclusive Economic Zone, scheduled for April 24–25. Indian agencies concerned are closely monitoring all developments.

Livemint.com couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the report.

Pahalgam terror attack: India's five stern actions against Pakistan

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated 5 punitive actions taken by India yesterday, on April 23, Wednesday:

1. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

2. The Integrated Check Post Attari will be shut down immediately. Those who have crossed over with official and valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025.

3. Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India, the statement said yesterday.

4. The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will pull out its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be pulled out from both High Commissions.

5. The overall strength of the high commissions will be reduced to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be in effect by May 1, 2025.

India has also summoned Pakistan's top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, in Delhi and handed over a formal persona non grata note for its military diplomats, ANI reported, citing sources.

Pakistan to decide its response to India's move after Pahalgam attack

Pakistan is conducting a high-powered security huddle to prepare an appropriate response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned the National Security Committee meeting to discuss India's “irresponsible actions” after what Pakistan called the Pahalgam false flag operation.

(With inputs from agencies)