India Blocks Pakistan's Social Media Handle; IT Ministry Appeals Citizens to Avoid Engagement

The Pakistan government's official X (formerly Twitter) handle is at present blocked in India. The development comes following increased tensions between the two nations after a Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir-based terror attack which claimed 26 lives. The retaliation came after Pakistan's deadly attack on Pahalgam terrorists that resulted in the deaths of 26 persons and injured more than 20 individuals. The move is attributed to cross-border terrorism for which India holds Pakistan responsible. It was decided following an emergency meet of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday.

Military, diplomatic relations strained

Informing the media following the CCS meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India is making the Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors deployed at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata. They have been told to leave India within a week. In a tit-for-tat action, India will also recall its own defence advisors Defence, Navy, and Air from its High Commission in Islamabad. Five support staff members associated with these defence advisors will also be recalled from both missions.

Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani citizens

As part of a wider diplomatic downscaling, both nations will scale down their High Commission staff from 55 to 30 by May 1, 2025.SAARC visa privileges suspended.India also declared an immediate suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption
The scheme for easier visa entry for SAARC nations' officials and dignitaries will no longer be available to Pakistan. Pakistani nationals who are already in India under SVES have been ordered to leave the country within 48 hours.

Pahalgam attack draws sharp response

The move by the government follows the escalated tensions in Jammu and Kashmir after Tuesday's brutal attack in Pahalgam, targeting mainly tourists. The attack is being attributed to cross-border terror agents. "CCS decided that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held accountable," Misri said. The steps mark one of the sharpest escalations in diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan in recent years, underscoring New Delhi’s zero-tolerance approach toward terrorism.