India announced on Saturday that, in response to recent tensions between the two nations, it has prohibited the importation of commodities that come from or pass through Pakistan.
“Direct or indirect Import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders,” a notification by India’s Commerce Ministry read.
“This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy,” it added.
The Pakistani military, meanwhile, reported that it successfully launched a surface-to-surface missile weapons system for training on Saturday.
“Pakistan today conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres,” the military statement read.
“The launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile’s advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features.”
The Wagah Attari border, the only legal commerce route between the two nations, was blocked by New Delhi and Islamabad after the attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
The Indus Water Treaty, which regulates the distribution of water in the Indus basin between India and Pakistan, has also been stopped by India.
Islamabad has denied responsibility, while India has accused Pakistan of supporting the assailants.
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, claimed to have granted his troops “full operational freedom” to react to the assault.
Responding to India’s diplomatic action, Pakistan halted all border trade, closed its airspace to Indian flights and expelled Indian diplomats.
Pakistan also warned that the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by India would be considered an act of war.
