India blocks Pakistan government's X account after Pahalgam terror attack

In another strong move following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, India has suspended access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan. This step is part of a broader diplomatic crackdown initiated by New Delhi in response to the killing of 26 people, including one Nepali national, in the recent attack.

The decision to withhold access comes a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met to outline India’s comprehensive response to what it termed as a cross-border terror strike. The committee, comprising top ministers and security officials, resolved to impose a series of measures aimed at isolating Pakistan diplomatically, economically, and strategically.

Among the suite of actions already announced are the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and the cancellation of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) entries for Pakistani nationals. These steps are seen as part of a pressure strategy to compel Pakistan to act decisively against terror outfits operating from its soil.

India also ordered the reduction of staff strength in both countries' high commissions from 55 to 30, with all defence, naval, and air advisors declared persona non grata. These officials have been directed to leave India within a week, and corresponding Indian personnel will be recalled from Islamabad. Five additional support staff from each side are also being withdrawn.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing, confirmed the X account suspension while reiterating that India expects "credible and irreversible" action from Pakistan in dismantling terror infrastructure and denying support to terror networks across the border.

The CCS meeting was attended by senior leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Defence Minister Singh had earlier vowed that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, as well as those behind them, would face strict retribution.