India announces exception for some valid long-term visa holders

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals remain valid.

In a press release, MEA stated, "Reference Government of India's decision (24 April 2025) to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals. It is hereby clarified that the revocation of visas specified in the above decision does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid."

In a statement, MEA stated, "In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect."

"All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025," the statement added.

French President condemns 'cowardly' attack

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack on X.

"I have just spoken to my counterpart, Narendra Modi, about the cowardly terrorist attack on Tuesday, which resulted in the tragic death of dozens of innocent civilians. France stands firmly with India and its people in this hour of grief. France, together with its allies, will continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary."

Protestors rally against India's halt of water treaty

Hundreds of Pakistanis joined protests across the country on Thursday, including in Kashmir, to rage against Indian threats after the deadly attack on tourists.

India has said it will suspend the Indus Water Treaty, which shares critical water between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, although it has no major means of restricting the river's flow downstream to Pakistan.

However, protesters including Baloch raged against the "unacceptable" threat.

"Water is our right and, God willing, we will reclaim it, even if that means through war. We will not back down," 25-year-old Muhammad Owais said.

Around 300 people brandishing placards marched through the main city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Photo: AFP File

Photo: Reuters File

Photo: AFP File

Pakistan suspends 1972 Simla Agreement

Pakistan suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement as a retaliation after strict measures taken by India after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

The crucial agreement is a peace treaty that had been signed between the two countries after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.

The treaty, which was signed in Shimla by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, set down clear guidelines for future interactions after the war.

The treaty's official purpose was to serve "as a way for both countries to put an end to the conflict and confrontation that have hitherto marred their relations".

Thousands of tourists leave Srinagar

A total of 10,090 tourists departed from Srinagar airport on Thursday, the Director General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

The authority confirmed that a total of 110 flights operated to and from the airport to various locations that ferried 14,197 passengers. Additional eight flights operated.

Meanwhile, 4,107 passengers arrived at the airport today.

All airlines had been instructed to ensure safe transit routes for tourists wanting to return and to ensure airfare prices were kept in control while also increasing the number of flights.

Large-scale exercises underway

The Indian Air Force carried out large-scale drills amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The exercises include training for high-intensity ground strike operations made for different landscapes that include flat and hilly terrains.

The IAF used Rafale jets in the exercise named 'Aakraman'. As per ANI, these fighter jets fighter jets are "carrying out complex missions involving ground attack and electronic warfare drills".

'Displaying bravery'

Indian media reports have widely said that Adil Hussain Shah, one among the 26 dead, was targeted when trying to save lives.

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said that pony ride operator "tried to stop the attack" and was "displaying bravery".

The government has offered full support for the kin of the deceased.

Heartbreaking account of former Dubai resident

This former Dubai resident travelled to scenic Kashmir with her parents and six-year-old twin sons — only for it to turn into her worst nightmare.

Arathi Menon’s father was shot and killed by one of the several gunmen who unleashed a terror attack in the Pahalgam region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week.

Arathi MenonWithin five seconds he shot my father in front of me. I hugged his body and cried. I immediately understood that he was dead.

Read her heartbreaking account, .

Pakistan halts canal project

The Pakistani government on Thursday halted the contentious canals project after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.

The announcement came in a press conference where the country's Prime Minister said that there will be not further progress on the canals without the "consensus of opinion among provinces".

Cross-border couples face uncertainty

Nazneen, a Pakistani living in the UAE who is married to Faisal, an Indian from Uttar Pradesh, was eagerly looking forward to the summer holidays. For the couple, this was not just a regular vacation, it was a long-awaited trip to meet their families, whom they have not seen since the pandemic.

“This was going to be our first proper visit after Covid,” said Nazneen, who got married in India in 2014. “We had everything planned, a few weeks in India, a few in Pakistan. We wanted to see everyone and attend family gatherings.”

Indus Waters Treaty explained

The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems.

The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan as India does not have enough storage capacity.

But India's move could bring uncertainty for Pakistan's agricultural system.

The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season.

Protests, vigils held across India

Protesters clashed with security personnel during a protest march towards the Pakistan High Commission condemning the Pahalgam tourist attack.

Photos: AFP

How has Kashmir been affected?

Tourism is vital to the region's economy and analysts say the unprecedented targeting of visitors will be a body blow to the industry.

Hoteliers reported mass cancellations at the start of the usually busy summer season.

Indian security forces have also launched a huge manhunt, with large numbers of people detained.

Watch: Flag lowering at Attari-Wagah border

The iconic flag ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border draws hundreds of tourists every day.

Security forces on both sides hold a daily military drill with synchronised marching, high-energy salutes, and flag-lowering. Soldiers even open gates and shake hands across the border.

Today, however, the gates at the location remained closed after India announced it was closing all land borders to neighbouring Pakistan.

Watch a video of the flag lowering ceremony below:

Dubai expat laid to rest

Aayushi Harpalani Udhwani, wife of Niraj Udhwani, being consoled by relatives during her husband's funeral at a cremation ground in Jaipur, India. Photo: Reuters

The final rites of Niraj Udhwani, the 33-year-old Indian expat who was tragically shot dead in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, were performed in Jaipur at 10am on Thursday, a close relative of the deceased confirmed to Khaleej Times.

His mortal remains were transported from Kashmir to Jaipur on Wednesday.

Pakistan to send summons to Indian High Commission

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday a summons would be sent to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

"India is fighting a low intensity war against us, and if they up the scale, we are ready. To protect our land, we will not come under any international pressure," Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also told a news conference.

Air India flights to be impacted

Air India has said that some of its flights will be impacted after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights.

Read the full statement, below:

Kashmir conflict over the years

1947: After two centuries of British rule ended, the poorly prepared partition unleashed a bloodshed that killed possibly more than a million people and displaced 15 million others.

Pakistan-backed militants attacked Kashmir who then sought India's help causing an all-out war between both countries.

A UN-backed, 770km ceasefire line in January 1949 then divided Kashmir, known as the Line of Control.

1965: Pakistan launched a second war when it invaded Kashmir. The conflict ended seven weeks later after a ceasefire brokered by the Soviet Union with thousands of soldiers dead on each side.

1989: An uprising broke out in Kashmir as longstanding grievances at Indian rule boiled over. Minorities fled the region and tens of thousands of soldiers, rebels and civilians were killed in the following decades in clashes between security forces and militants.

India accused Pakistan of funding the rebels and aiding their weapons training.

1999: Pakistan-backed militants crossed into Indian-administered Kashmir, and seized military posts in the Kargil mountains. Pakistan yielded after severe pressure from Washington, alarmed by intelligence reports showing Islamabad had deployed part of its nuclear arsenal nearer to the conflict.

2019: A suicide attack killed 41 Indian paramilitary troops in Kashmir and prompted Modi to order airstrikes inside Pakistan. The resulting stand-off between the two nations was swiftly defused.

Later, Modi's government cancels Kashmir's partial autonomy, a sudden decision accompanied by mass arrests and a months-long communications blackout.

2021: Both nations reaffirm a 2003 ceasefire, but Pakistan insists that peace talks can resume only if India reinstates Kashmir's pre-2019 autonomous status.

Impact on UAE flights

Several daily flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru rely on Pakistani airspace for the most direct route.

With the closure now in effect, Indian carriers operating in the UAE, including Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo, or via longer southern paths, potentially adding up to two hours of flying time.

Indian airlines were still assessing the full impact at the time of writing. UAE-based carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are not directly affected, as the ban applies only airlines owned and operated by India. However, air traffic congestion and slot rescheduling at Indian airports could still create knock-on effects.

How world nations reacted UAE Ministry of Foreign AffairsUAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law. US President Donald TrumpPrime Minister Modi, and the people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. French President Emmanuel MacronA heinous terrorist attack has struck India. Australian PM Anthony AlbaneseThe horrific loss of life of innocent civilians is an act of senseless violence which has shocked the world. Outpouring of grief

Heartbreaking visuals of bereaved families mourning across India have gone viral on social media since Tuesday.

Family members of Sanjay Lele, who was killed in an attack near Pahalgam, mourn his death before his funeral in Dombivli, Thane district of Maharashtra, India. Photo: Reuters

Relatives of Vinay Narwal, a Navy officer, who was killed in a suspected militant attack near scenic Pahalgam in south Kashmir, mourn as they arrive at his residence in Karnal in the northern state of Haryana, India. Photo: Reuters

Women grieve during the funeral of Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed in Pahalgam, at his village in Hapatnar in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Photo: Reuters

A nephew of Yatish Parmar being consoled, after the body of Parmar, who died in the Pahalgam attack, was brought to his home in Bhavnagar, India. Photo: Reuters

Sketches of suspects released

Indian authorities have offered a two million rupee (around Dh86,000) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest.

Pakistan detains Indian Border Security Force soldier

A soldier of the Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by Pakistani Rangers on Wednesday, April 23, after he accidentally crossed the international border in Firozpur of Punjab, while on duty.

What both sides have said Indian PM ModiI say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's officeAny threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains. Punitive measures

Since the attack, India has , closed the main land border crossing with Pakistan and downgraded diplomatic ties.

In retaliation, Pakistan has ordered Indian diplomats to leave the country and cancelled visas for Indian nationals with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.

What happened on Tuesday?

Suspected militants in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory on Tuesday in the worst attack on civilians in the country in nearly two decades.

The attack occurred in Pahalgam, a popular destination in the scenic, mountainous region where mass tourism, especially during the summer, has resurged as militant violence has eased in recent years.

Twenty-six men, including a , were gunned down, sparking outrage and causing Indian PM Modi to declare that India would pursue those responsible "". Pakistan has denied any role in the attack, which has since triggered a series of tit-for-tat measures by both nations.

India orders all Pakistani citizens to leave by April 29

All Pakistani citizens in India must leave the country by April 29, New Delhi's foreign ministry said Thursday, in the latest diplomatic measure taken after an attack it blames on Islamabad.

"In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect," the statement read.

"All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended."

It will not impact Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi, although their numbers were reduced by Indian orders a day earlier.

India, Pakistan suspend visas

On Thursday, New Delhi said it had "with immediate effect" and ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country, with the exception of remaining diplomats.

Pakistan quickly retaliated with a , suspending all visas for Indians and ordering Indian diplomats to leave the country.

This comes three days after a deadly terror attack killed 26 in tourist hotspot Pahalgam in Kashmir.