Chinese Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

Beijing: Guo Jiakun, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, has denounced the terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and said that he opposes terrorism in all its manifestations. Guo Jiakun offered condolences to the victims and their families at a news briefing on Wednesday. He said, “China noted the reports” in response to a question about Tuesday’s incident in Jammu and Kashmir. We strongly condemn the assault.

China is adamantly against terrorism in any form. We grieve the loss of life and offer our deepest condolences to the wounded and their families.

The terrorists’ heinous assault on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday claimed the lives of at least 26 people. A formerly peaceful region in the Anantnag district became a place of grieving after the assault in the Pahalgam area.

A high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was conducted in the meanwhile to discuss the nation’s general security status, with a particular emphasis on the terror assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. All security forces were instructed by the committee to be very vigilant and take all necessary precautions against such assaults in the future.

The CCS decided to hold the sponsors of the Pahalgam terror assault responsible for their conduct and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Citing the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana as evidence of its steadfast anti-terrorism posture, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to pursue individuals who have carried out acts of terror or plotted to enable them.

The Prime Minister presided over the CCS meeting on Wednesday night. The terrorist incident at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indians and one Nepali national while injuring many others, was thoroughly explained to the CCS. In addition to expressing its sincere sympathies to the victims’ families and wishing for the wounded to recover quickly, the CCS strongly denounced the assault.

Given the gravity of this terrorist act, the CCS determined that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty would be suspended with immediate effect until Pakistan renounces its support for cross-border terrorism in a credible and irreversible manner. Attari’s Integrated Check Post will be shut down right now. Before May 1, 2025, those who have crossed across with legitimate endorsements may do it again.

Under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), Pakistani citizens would not be able to enter India for visa-related reasons. Any previous SVES visas granted to citizens of Pakistan are considered revoked. Every Pakistani citizen with an SVES visa in India has 48 hours to depart the country. Persona Non Grata has been imposed on the defense, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.

They may depart India in a week. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad will no longer have its own Defense, Navy, and Air Advisors. These positions are considered revoked in their respective High Commissions. Additionally, five of the Service Advisors’ support workers will be removed from both High Commissions. By May 1, 2025, more cuts will be made to bring the total number of High Commissions down from the current 55 to 30.