INDIA and Pakistan have exchanged a series of diplomatic measures after prime minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

Modi said India would identify and punish those behind the attack and accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism.

"I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said in his first speech since the incident. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth."

Indian police have identified two of the three suspected gunmen as Pakistani nationals.

The attack in Pahalgam, a tourist area in the Muslim-majority Kashmir region, was the deadliest against civilians in 25 years. Previous attacks had mostly targeted Indian security forces.

Following the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, shut down the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistani citizens.

In response, Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of the National Security Committee on Thursday in Islamabad, attended by top military officials including Army Chief Asim Munir.

"Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," said a statement from Sharif’s office.

The statement added: "In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic."

Tit-for-tat measures

Pakistan responded by expelling Indian diplomats, cancelling visas for Indian nationals except Sikh pilgrims, and ordering Indian military advisers to leave the country.

Islamabad also said the Wagah border crossing in Punjab would be shut from both Read More….