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PM Modi Vows Ruthless Crackdown on Terror After Pahalgam Massacre
In the wake of last week’s deadly attack in Pahalgam that left at least 26 dead and dozens injured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pledged a relentless pursuit of terrorists and their supporters, promising they would face the full weight of India’s justice.
Speaking alongside Angolan President João Lourenço at a joint press briefing in New Delhi, Modi declared, “We are unanimous that terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India is committed to taking firm and decisive action against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for their support in our fights against cross border terrorism.”
In a bold retaliatory step, the Indian government on Saturday banned the import of all goods from Pakistan whether directly or indirectly effective immediately. The Ministry of Commerce issued the order, which also blocks Pakistani-flagged vessels from entering Indian ports.
“All goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, are prohibited with immediate effect,” stated the notification dated May 2. The change has been formalized in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
The assault that sparked the crackdown took place on April 22, when heavily armed terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Among the victims were foreign nationals, with The Resistance Front (TRF) a Lashkar proxy initially claiming responsibility before retracting after global condemnation.
India responded swiftly and sharply. Diplomatic relations with Pakistan were scaled down, with measures including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, reduction in Islamabad mission staff, a ban on Pakistani airlines in Indian airspace, and the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés.
Additionally, India cancelled all Pakistani visas including medical ones and gave Pakistani nationals in India a deadline to return home.
During a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, PM Modi said terrorism is the biggest threat for humanity.
His statement comes as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to mount after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians had died. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility. Two of the four attackers were confirmed to be Pakistani nationals.
After a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting a day after the attack, PM Modi had warned that India would leave no stone unturned in seeking justice. "We will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their supporters. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth," he had said.
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed the Attari border, cancelled all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, initiated a sweeping crackdown on Pakistani YouTube channels and X handles, and downgraded diplomatic relations.
