• Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol Dal Lake in Srinagar. EPA
    Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol Dal Lake in Srinagar. EPA
  • An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard on the banks of Dal Lake. EPA
    An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard on the banks of Dal Lake. EPA
  • People in Kolkata, India, walk with candles and banners during a protest march against the killings in Kashmir. AP
    People in Kolkata, India, walk with candles and banners during a protest march against the killings in Kashmir. AP
  • A woman in Kolkata places a candle during a protest against the killings. AP
    A woman in Kolkata places a candle during a protest against the killings. AP
  • Demonstrators in Pahalgam, Mumbai, during a protest condemning the terror attack. AFP
    Demonstrators in Pahalgam, Mumbai, during a protest condemning the terror attack. AFP
  • Members of the Anti-Terror Action Forum hold a protest near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India. EPA
    Members of the Anti-Terror Action Forum hold a protest near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India. EPA
  • Pakistan Markazi Muslim League activists shout slogans at an anti-India protest in Karachi. AFP
    Pakistan Markazi Muslim League activists shout slogans at an anti-India protest in Karachi. AFP
  • Indian Hindu activists carry burning torches in Bangalore. EPA
    Indian Hindu activists carry burning torches in Bangalore. EPA
  • Indian security personnel patrol a street in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Reuters
    Indian security personnel patrol a street in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Reuters
  • Pakistani security personnel stand guard outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. AFP
    Pakistani security personnel stand guard outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. AFP
  • A supporter of the Pakistan Murkazi Muslim League party chants at a demonstration against the suspension of a water-sharing treaty between India with Pakistan, in Peshawar. AP
    A supporter of the Pakistan Murkazi Muslim League party chants at a demonstration against the suspension of a water-sharing treaty between India with Pakistan, in Peshawar. AP
  • Protesters clash with security staff in New Delhi. AFP
    Protesters clash with security staff in New Delhi. AFP

Tension rises after Kashmir attack as India and Pakistan diplomacy breaks down


Amr Mostafa
  • English
  • Arabic

India has revoked visas for Pakistani citizens and given them until Sunday to leave the country as tension rises between the neighbours following this week's deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir.

Islamabad responded with a string of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures against New Delhi, including the cancellation of visas for Indians, closing its airspace to all Indian-owned or operated airlines and suspending all trade between the countries. Pakistan also warned that it would consider any diversion of water an “act of war”.

India accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue the culprits “to the ends of the Earth”.

Hundreds of Pakistanis joined protests on Thursday against India's threats. In Kashmir, about 300 people brandishing anti-India placards marched through the main city of Muzaffarabad.

The attack in a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday killed 26 people. India responded with a diplomatic offensive, closing a key border crossing, suspending a water treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomats. It went further on Thursday by suspending visa services to Pakistani nationals.

“All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked” with effect from April 27, India's Foreign Ministry said. It added that medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only until April 29.

The ministry also advised Indian citizens in Pakistan to return as soon as possible. Motorists were heading towards India via the Wagah-Attari border crossing, which will be closed from May 1.

Indian citizens returned from Pakistan via the Wagah-Attari border post on Thursday as tensions escalate. AFP
Indian citizens returned from Pakistan via the Wagah-Attari border post on Thursday as tensions escalate. AFP

Pakistani response

Pakistan said its “firm reciprocal measures” were about protecting its sovereignty. It described India's moves as “unjust, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal merit”.

Indian defence, naval and air advisers were declared unwelcome in Islamabad and “directed to leave Pakistan immediately”, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said after a national security committee meeting.

Visas issued to Indian citizens were cancelled, with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.

Pakistan also “vehemently” rejected India’s unprecedented move to suspend the water-sharing pact. “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water” belonging to Pakistan “will be “considered as an act of war and responded with full force”, the government said.

Rare attack

Tuesday's rare attack on civilians, mostly tourists who were visiting a popular scenic meadow, shocked and outraged India. Among the 26 people killed was Dubai resident Niraj Udhwani.

Pakistan denied any connection to the attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group that called itself the Kashmir Resistance.

Gunmen target tourists in Kashmir attack – in pictures

  • Paramedics at a hospital in Anantnag after gunmen attacked Indian tourists visiting Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. AP
    Paramedics at a hospital in Anantnag after gunmen attacked Indian tourists visiting Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. AP
  • Indian security officers patrol the streets of Pahalgam following the attack. AP
    Indian security officers patrol the streets of Pahalgam following the attack. AP
  • At least five tourists were killed and several others injured. Getty images
    At least five tourists were killed and several others injured. Getty images
  • Authorities have condemned the attack as the most severe targeting civilians in the region in recent years. Reuters
    Authorities have condemned the attack as the most severe targeting civilians in the region in recent years. Reuters
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to India. EPA
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to India. EPA
  • Indian tourists were stuck on the road heading to Pahalgam after the attack. AP
    Indian tourists were stuck on the road heading to Pahalgam after the attack. AP
  • Indian army personnel stand guard near Pahalgam, south of Srinagar. AFP
    Indian army personnel stand guard near Pahalgam, south of Srinagar. AFP

India has vowed to punish those responsible. “I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,” Mr Modi said. “We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth”.

India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as being backed by Pakistan. Islamabad denies this and many Muslim Kashmiris consider the militants to be part of a home-grown freedom struggle.

Indian border guard troops guard a road leading to the Attari-Wagah border, which is being closed in response to the Kashmir attack. AP
Indian border guard troops guard a road leading to the Attari-Wagah border, which is being closed in response to the Kashmir attack. AP

India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, announced on Wednesday night that a number of Pakistani diplomats were asked to leave New Delhi and that diplomats were recalled from Pakistan.

Diplomatic missions in both countries will reduce their staff from 55 to 30 as of May 1, and the only functional land border crossing between the countries would be closed.

India also suspended a landmark water-sharing treaty that has survived two wars between the countries, in 1965 and 1971, and a major border skirmish in 1999.

The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allows for sharing the waters of a river system that is a lifeline for both countries, particularly for Pakistan’s agriculture.

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Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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Company%20Profile
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THE POPE'S ITINERARY

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe

Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads

Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike

They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users

Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance

They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

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Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
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Updated: April 25, 2025, 4:32 AM