THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WILL SPEND LESS TIME IN WASHINGTON’ ‘ATTACK A FAILURE OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES’ P8 SENSEX 80,116.49 p520.90 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. OCCASIONAL SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 10-20 KMPH). THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 41 AND 21 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. TEMPERATURE ` vs $ 85.38 GOLD `98,955.00 P12 SILVER `1,01,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 65.47 Govt suspends Indus Water Treaty, to expel defence staff at Pak mission Min. 14 % Max: 39.6 °C (+1.9) SUN RISES 05:46 hrs MOON RISES 03:54 hrs P10 CCS meets day after deadly Pahalgam attack, also decides to shut Attari crossing, cancel SAARC visa exemption for Pak nationals RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 50 % P9 NIFTY 24,282.35 p115.10 RCB FACE STRUGGLING ROYALS AT HOME ‘INTEREST RATE CUT TO BOOST PRIVATE CONSUMPTION’ Min: 19.7 °C (-3.0) SUN SETS 18:52 hrs MOON SETS 15:10 hrs THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya students hold posters as they offer condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Chennai on Wednesday. nANI Luxury goods worth over Rs 10 lakh to attract additional 1 per cent tax: The Income Tax Department has notified the applicability of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) at the rate of 1 per cent on the sale of specified luxury goods, where the selling price exceeds Rs 10 lakh, with effect from April 22, 2025. Luxury goods like handbags, wristwatches, footwear, and sportswear will be affected by this move. As regard the operationalisation of the new rules, sellers will have to deduct TDS on sale of the notified goods such as wristwatch, art objects such as paintings, sculptures, and antiques, collectible items, including coins and stamps, yachts, helicopters, luxury handbags, sunglasses, footwear, high-end sportswear and equipment, home theatre systems, and horses intended for racing or polo. (Page 10) I n response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 tourists dead, the government this evening decided on a series of robust measures to hold Pakistan accountable for its role in cross border terrorism. Among other measures, the Cabinet Committee on Security that met this evening led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to suspend the Indus water treaty, cancel SAARC visas of Pakistan nationals and expel defence staff posted at the Pakistan High Commission. The CCS also decided to close the Atari border. The CCS met for over two hours on Wednesday evening to assess and deliberate on follow-up actions to the audacious attack on tourists at Baisaan meadow in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Tuesday. The attack resulted in 26 fatalities and left 17 injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had cut short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia to return to Delhi on Wednesday, chaired the meeting which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh were also present in the meeting. In one of the most significant decisions, India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect. This move effectively halts decades of cooperation on water-sharing between India and Pakistan. The decision will remain in force until Pakistan takes credible and irrevocable steps to abjure its support for cross-border terrorism. India also announced the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, which serves as a key border crossing between the two nations. Indian authorities have granted Pakistani nationals with valid travel endorsements until 1 May 2025, to return to Pakistan through this route. After this deadline, all land travel between India and Pakistan will be completely suspended. It was also decided that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any SVES visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals have been cancelled, and those currently in India under this scheme have been given 48 hours to leave the country. Pakistan’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared as Persona Non Grata. These officials have been given one week to leave India. India will withdraw its own defence advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad. Furthermore, India has decided to reduce the overall strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The two embassies will be cut to a staff strength of 30, down from the current 55. This reduction will be implemented by 1 May 2025. The CCS also reviewed the overall security situation and directed all Indian forces to maintain the highest level of vigilance. India has resolved to ensure that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack are brought to justice, and that their sponsors will be held accountable. In line with its unyielding approach to combating terrorism, India reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing those responsible for terror attacks, referencing recent high-profile extraditions like Tahawwur Rana. Two heavily armed Pak terrorists killed in Kashmir Don’t blame us: Pakistan defence minister on Pahalgam attack STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 23 APRIL Indian Army troops on Wednesday foiled an infiltration bid by two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists, who were killed in a gunfight in North Kashmir's Baramulla district. The incident took place a day after terrorists massacred 26 tourists in South Kashmir's Pahalgam area. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and other warlike stores have been recovered, the Army said. “On 23 April, approximately 2 to 3 unidentified terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla. The alert troops on LoC challenged and intercepted them, resulting in a firefight,” the Chinar Corps added. Pakistan on Wednesday sought to dissociate from the Pahalgam terror attack with its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (photo) saying “these are not acts of foreign interference but local uprisings.” Talking to a Pakistani TV channel, Mr Asif said the violence in Jammu and Kashmir is “home-grown” and part of a broader rebellion against the “Hindutva regime” in New Delhi. “Pakistan has no connection with this. Revolutions are going on in so-called Indian states, from Nagaland to Kashmir, in Chhattisgarh, Manipur, and the South. These are not acts of foreign interference but local upris- ings,” he said. He said Pakistan does not support terrorism in any form, and non-combatants should not be targeted. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Khan meanwhile, said Pakistan was “concerned at the loss of tourists' lives” in the incident. Cong offers constructive cooperation to govt in fighting terrorism: Kharge LAKSHMANA VENKAT KUCHI BENGALURU, 23 APRIL The principal opposition party in the country, the Congress, on Wednesday offered its constructive cooperation to the central government at the time of crisis gripping the nation following the dastardly terrorist attack. ''The Congress party is with the government in this time of crisis when terrorists have launched an attack against the nation and will cooperate with the government to the fullest,'' said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing a press conference in Bengaluru. In the dastardly attack, unsuspecting, civilians — tourists - were killed by ter- rorists in Pahalgam yesterday at around 230 p.m. "It has deeply hurt, shocked, and saddened us all," Mr Kharge said. "The Congress party unequivocally condemns this cowardly act of terror and those responsible for it in the strongest possible terms. This attack is a direct assault on the unity and integrity of our nation since the horrific Chittsinghpora massacre in 2000, This is among the most brazen and outrageous attacks by terrorists and separatists. We firmly reiterate that those who murdered unarmed and innocent civilians can not be human,” Mr Kharge said in his opening statement. “Late last evening, I spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he was in Kashmir and also spoke to Omar Abdullah, CM of Jammu and Kashmir, and local leaders like Pradesh Committee Congress president and LoP of our party. I gathered much information, but it is not necessary to tell all that at this stage. I condemn this cowardly act done by terrorists and whoever is there Amit Shah told me that they will take action drastically in that area,” Mr Kharge said. “We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he said. Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, in a social media post on X, said he was shocked by the attack and offered deep condolences for the victims. Leaders from across the world have condemned the terrorist attack on innocent tourists, expressing solidarity with India. US President Donald Trump also called PM Modi to express his condolences and offered US support to ally India in its fight against terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin condemned the attack and expressed his deep condolences. The Embassy of Iran in New Delhi also condemned the targeted killings of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The United Arab Emirates also issued a statement condemning the attack. Pahalgam terror attack: Amit Shah pledges terrorists will not be spared STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 23 APRIL A day after the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 tourists were massacred, Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to the dead and also met the survivors of the attack whom he reassured that justice would be served. Mr Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and assured them that the government would not rest until the attackers were brought to justice. The Home Minister said: “I assure all these families and the entire nation that these terrorists who killed innocent people will not be spared at all”. “Every Indian feels the pain of losing their loved ones in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This sorrow cannot be expressed in words,” he said. Mr Shah also flew to the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, the spot of the terror attack, and took stock of the terror attack. In a solemn ceremony held at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar, Mr Shah laid wreaths on the coffins of the deceased. The bodies were later flown to their respective home places. The Home Minister later interacted with families of the slain tourists and survivors of the attack. Mr Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening within hours of the terror attack and held a high level security review with top brass of the Army, central armed police forces, intelligence agencies and J&K Police. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced an ex-gratia relief package of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives in the attack. Further, Rs 2 lakh will be given to those who sustained serious injuries, and Rs 1 lakh to those with minor injuries. The security agencies on Wednesday released sketches of the three terrorists involved in the massacre. The sketches have been prepared with the help of survivors who were eyewitnesses to the heinous attack. This was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Kashmir after the attack on a CRPF convoy at Pulwama in which 40 personnel lost their lives. The attack is being called a failure of the intelligence agencies and security forces. Among the 26 killed was an IAF officer, a Navy officer who was married a week ago and an Intelligence Bureau official who were shot dead in front of their families. Saudis condemn Pahalgam attack, reject attempt to link terror with race, religion STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL Saudi Arabia, one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan in the Islamic world, has strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and joined India in rejecting any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture. In a joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Kingdom, the two countries condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasised that this remains one of the gravest threats to humanity. They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever. The PM, who had left for Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with India's stand on cross-border terrorism and called on all states to reject the use of terror against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. the Kingdom on a two-day visit on Tuesday, cut short his trip and returned to the Indian capital in the wee hours of today in the wake of the Pahalgam attack in which at least 26 tourists were killed. India and Saudi Arabia welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and terror financing. In a subtle message to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with India's stand on cross-border terrorism and called on all states to reject the use of terror against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Both sides stressed the need to prevent access to weapons, including missiles and drones to commit terrorist acts against other countries. Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa also called on the PM in Jeddah before he departed for India and strongly condemned the ghastly terror attack in J & K and offered deepest condolences on the innocent lives lost. Kashmir bloodshed: IAF personnel, IB official, railway engineer, pony operator among victims STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL Among the 26 people killed in the terror attack at Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam yesterday was an Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel from Arunachal Pradesh. Thirty-year-old Corporal Tage Hailyang was on a holiday with his wife. Hailing from Tajang village in Arunachal Pradesh's Ziro, Hailyang was posted at the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar. In a post on X, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu called the Corporal a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh. "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror. He served the nation with courage and honour, and his untimely death is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire country. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his wife, who survived this horrific incident. May they find strength and solace in this unimaginable time of grief. We will always remember Corporal Hailyang for his service and sacrifice. Om Mane Padme Hum," he wrote. In an X post, The IAF wrote: “All air warriors of the #IndianAirForce mourn the loss of Cpl Tage Hailyang in the terror attack at Pahalgam and convey heartfelt condolences to his family in this moment of immense grief. The IAF stands in solidarity with the families of all those who lost their lives and prays for the swift recovery of the injured.” A Bengaluru-based techie, Bharat Bhushan, was also shot dead in front of his wife and the couple’s three-year-old son. Speaking to the media, Bhushan's mother-in-law said that according to her daughter, who is a doctor, the terrorists asked before shooting the victims if they were Hindu. AnIntelligenceBureauofficial, Manish Ranjan, was also among the victims. Hailing from Bihar, RanjanwaspostedatHyderabad and was visiting Kashmir for a family holiday. He, too, was shot dead in front of his wife and kids. Another victim was a Senior Section Engineer from the Parel Workshop of Central Railway, Atul Mone. The Indian Railways mourned his death and sent condolences to his family members. The victims of the attack also included Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the only Muslim killed. A pony operator, he is being hailed as a hero after he died trying to shield a tourist during the attack. The list of the dead include: Sushil Nathyal (Indore), Syed Adil Hussain Shah (Pahalgam), Hemant Suhas Joshi (Mumbai), Vinay Narwal (Haryana), Atul Srikant Moni (Maharashtra), Neeraj Udhawani (Uttarakhand), Bitan Adhikari (Kolkata), Sudeep Neupane (Nepal), Shubham Dwivedi (Kanpur), Prashant Kumar Satpathi (Malashwar Odesa), Manish Ranjan (Bihar), N Ramachandra (Kerala), Sanjay Lakshman Lali (Thane), Dinesh Agarwal (Chandigarh), Sameer Guhar (Kolkata), Dileep Dasali (Mumbai), J Sachandra Moli (Visakhapatnam), Madhusudan Somisetty (Bengaluru), Santosh Jaghda (Pune), Manju Nath Rao (Karnataka), Kastuba Ganvotay (Pune), Bharat Bhushan (Bengaluru), Sumit Parmar (Gujarat), Yatesh Parmar (Gujarat), Tage Halying (Arunachal Pradesh), and Shaileshbhai H Himmatbhai Kalathia (Gujarat).