Indian officials announced today that all visas granted to Pakistani nationals will be rescinded starting Sunday, and stipulated that all Pakistanis presently in India must depart before their visas expire based on the updated timeline.
Additionally, the country revealed other actions, including reducing the number of diplomatic personnel and the closure of the only operational land border crossing between the two nations.
“(India’s) military planners perceive there exists a window for kinetic conventional operations under the nuclear shield. This window isn’t limitless, but it’s not trivial either,” he stated.
Praveen Donthi, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, said framing the Kashmir conflict as a security crisis of Pakistan’s creation, “which can be resolved only through harsh talk and actions”, brings political dividends to Modi’s government but could also leave it with few options in times of crises.
“The immense public pressure on the Modi government to retaliate strongly and militarily is self-created. Soon, there will be no options left unless New Delhi starts looking to address the roots of political unrest in Kashmir,” Donthi said.
The killings shocked residents of Kashmir, where militants fighting against Indian rule have rarely targeted tourists and have mainly mounted their attacks against Indian forces.
In a rare show of public outrage, Kashmiris — many of whom have roiled under an intense crackdown by Indian forces and New Delhi’s highhanded rule — took part in street protests and candle light marches in protest against the killings. Markets, private schools and businesses were shut Wednesday amid an uneasy calm as people worried that the attacks could drive away tourists and hurt the region’s economy.
Funerals of several of those killed were also held across some Indian cities.
