THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR TESLA PROFIT PLUNGE: MUSK TO SPEND LESS TIME IN WASHINGTON ‘ATTACK A FAILURE OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES’ P6 SENSEX 80,116.49 p520.90 WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Hot and Humid weather likely. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm ` vs $ 85.38 P16 SILVER `1,01,000 GOLD `98,955.00 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 65.47 Govt suspends Indus Water Treaty, to expel military advisors at Pak mission Min. 54% TEMPERATURE Max: 35.0˚C (-0.9) Min: 29.2˚C (+3.0) SUN RISES 05:10 hrs MOON RISES 01:52 hrs P12 CCS meets day after deadly Pahalgam attack, also decides to shut Attari crossing, cancel SAARC visa exemption for Pak nationals RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 84% P10 NIFTY 24,282.35 p115.10 RCB FACE STRUGGLING ROYALS AT HOME ‘INTEREST RATE CUT TO BOOST PRIVATE CONSUMPTION’ SUN SETS 18:00 hrs MOON SETS 13:25 hrs New Moon on 28 April THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL Students of Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya 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 22 April 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 12) Two heavily armed Pak terrorists killed in Kashmir 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 shut down the Attari border crossing. 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 CCS’ 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 Don’t blame us: Pakistan defence minister on Pahalgam attack STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 23 APRIL 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- 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. 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. Shah pledges terrorists will not be spared; attackers’ sketches released 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 situation. Mr Shah reached Srinagar on Tuesday evening and held a high level security review with top brass of the Army, central armed police forces, intelligence agencies and J&K Police. Security agencies on Wednesday released sketches of three terrorists involved in the massacre (picture). The sketches were 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. The three Pakistani terrorists involved in the attack have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha. They are linked to Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba’s offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF). Security agencies are believed to have reported that the group was active in the area for the last month and had conducted reconnaissance of the tourist spot before the attack. Intelligence agencies have identified the Pakistan based Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a top LeT commander, as the mastermind of the massacre. The Army and security forces have launched a massive anti-terror operation and deployed helicopters and drones to track down the terrorists who took advantage of the forest cover to flee the spot. Efforts are also being made to identify the local people who might have guided the terrorists and also provided shelter to them. Saudi Arabia condemn s attack, rejects 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. 3 from Bengal died in attack; bodies of 2 reach city STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 23 APRIL West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday confirmed that three tourists from the state were killed in Tuesday’s terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The three deceased include two Kolkata residents ~ Bitan Adhikari (40) of Baishnabghata and Samir Guha of Sakher Bazar in Behala ~ and Manish Ranjan Mishra, a resident of Jhalda in Purulia district. The mortal remains of Adhikari and Guha reached Kolkata by air this evening. Describing the incident as a "grim hour" for the state, Miss Banerjee said that her government was making all the arrangements to get family members of the three deceased back home from New Delhi and she was personally supervising it. "As per the latest updated information made available to us, 3 persons from our state have died in the most unfortunate Kashmir violence. All arrangements are being put up by our administration at Delhi Airport to help the family members of the victims and their onward journey to Kolkata. Flight is likely to arrive in Kolkata at 8.30 p.m today. Our resident commissioner's office in Delhi is in touch with the family members,” Miss Banerjee said in a post on her X handle today. “I am personally overseeing and our senior officers are working hands on. A grim hour for all of us. Our victims are Bitan Adhikari (of Baishnabghata, Kolkata), Samir Guha (Sakher Bazar, Kolkata) and Manish Ranjan (Jhalda, Purulia). No word is enough as condolence for their families, even while my heart goes out to them. We stand by the families,” she stated. Bitan, a techie attached in a multi-national IT company based in Florida in the USA, along with his wife Sohini and a three year-old son, Hridan, came home to Kolkata on 8 April. They went on a family trip to Kashmir on 16 April. They were supposed to return to Kolkata on Thursday. The bereaved father of Bitan said: “He wanted to take all of us for the trip. I told him to go with his wife and son only. It was on Tuesday when they talked with us over phone. We never imagined I would have to see this day. I can’t bear the loss of my son.” Bitan was shot dead by the terrorists right in front of the horrified Sohini and little Hridan. Samir and Manish Ranjan were central government employees. Samir along with his wife Sabari was scheduled to return to their Sakher Bazar home on Wednesday, a day before the terrorists sprayed bullets at him in front of his wife on Tuesday afternoon and he died on the spot. “A group of about five to six armed terrorists wearing masks accosted us suddenly and asked us to lie down. They shot my husband and another man in front of us,” Sabari said, breaking down as she narrated the incident. Manish Ranjan, an officer of the central intelligence branch, was posted in Hyderabad. He used to stay there with his wife, a son and a daughter. Earlier, he was posted in Ranchi before being transferred to Hyderabad. According to his family sources, Manish Ranjan along with his family member left for Ayodhya on 15 April and reached Kashmir’s Pahalgam via Haridwar. They had a plan to visit Baisnyadevi temple from Pahalgam. His father, mother and brother and relatives of the latter who stay in Jhalda were scheduled to visit the temple together.