Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 23 (ANI): Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Development Commissioner (DDC) of Doda district, Harvinder Singh, on Wednesday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, labeling it as an orchestrated effort by those looking to destabilise society and divide people along religious lines.

Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Harvinder Singh said, 'A terror attack was carried out in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and many were injured. This attack is orchestrated by those who want to break our society and those who want to divide us on the basis of religion. The way the attack was heinously carried out is very condemnable.'

'We observed two minutes of silence for those killed yesterday. We will oppose any such force that will try to break our society or harm our people,' said the Doda Deputy Commissioner.

Officials of Doda District Magistrate observe two minutes of silence to pay tribute to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Earlier in the day, former Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina held a protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, and while speaking to ANI, said, '... Pakistan and its terrorists have killed humanity and the essence of Kashmir... They have committed a great sin and Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for it...'

Security forces have launched search operations to track down the terrorists responsible. Security has been heightened since the attack, with visuals from the area showing the streets deserted in the usually bustling tourist area.

Meanwhile, India on Wednesday announced a series of steps to give a strong message to Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance and the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect.

Addressing a special press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme.

The CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and they have a week to leave India.

He said the overall strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 from the current 55 through further reductions, to be implemented by May 1, 2025.

'Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures - The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025,' Misri said.

'Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India. The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India,' he added.

He said India will be withdrawing its own Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. 'These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled,' Misri said. (ANI)