62 THURSDAY 24 APRIL, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard ISRAELI STRIKE KILLS 25 AMID TRUCE PLAN PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS CCS ALSO DECIDES TO SHUT ATTARI CHECK POST TO COAX PAK, INDUS TREATY PUT ON ICE J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi IN response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepali national, India on Wednesday put Pakistan on notice, placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, expelling military attachés, slashing diplomatic staff and suspending the entry of its nationals, citing crossborder links to the assault. India also decided to shut down the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect, as part of the measures taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCS assessed the overall security situation and instructed “all forces to remain on high alert”. “It (CCS) resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. “In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the ter rorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development,” Misri said. The Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave India 50% US tariffs on Chinese goods could come down to between 50% and 65%, a senior White House official told Wall Street Journal Vietnam began trade talks with the US to avert the 46% tariffs set to kick in when the 90-day pause ends Finance Secretary Ajay Seth said direct impact of US tariffs on India’s GDP growth would be around 0.2 to 0.5% within a week. India will withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad. These positions in both missions are now annulled, and five support staff associated with the service advisors will also be withdrawn from each side. Diplomatic strength in both missions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with immediate effect “until Pakistan verifiably ends support for cross-border terrorism,” Misri said. The treaty signed in 1960, is , considered one of the most generous and enduring water-sharing pacts globally. Now, India has frozen it, halting all data exchange and suspending “its obligations” to share river waters. It has been decided the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed, with a May 1 deadline for return of those who crossed over with valid documents. Travel under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme is now barred for Pakistani nationals, with existing visas cancelled and current holders given 48 hours to exit. Taking a strong view of Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam massacre, Misri said: “As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible.”  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES PAK’S MILITARY DIPLOMATS EXPELLED Navy Lt Vinay Narwal’s wife Himanshi breaks down while paying tribute to her husband killed in the attack | PTI DIPLOMATIC STAFF REDUCED FACES OF TERROR F AYA Z W A N I A N D M U K E S H R A N J A N @ Srinagar/New Delhi A day after 25 tourists and a local person were shot dead in Pahalgam, security agencies on Wednesday released sketches of the three terrorists involved in the attack. Intelligence agencies also identified Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba’s top commander Saifullah Kasuri alias Khalid as the mastermind behind the carnage. One of the three assailants is suspected to be a local while the others are Pakistani nationals. “The team of three was led by one Pakistani terrorist Asif Fauji,” sources said. “We suspect the terrorists were provided support by some locals by way of logistics and reconnaissance,” a security official said. Security agencies reckon that the assailants may have used M4-carbine rifles. They possibly crossed into Pahalgam from Kishtwar, where three terrorists were recently killed in an encounter. The police have also questioned some locals. A massive manhunt for the attackers is on. “Security forces are using sniffer dogs besides aerial surveillance through drones and helicopters to locate the terrorists,” a security official said. Khalid, the mastermind, heads the LeT’s Peshawar unit. In the past, he had expressed frustration over Paki- stan’s strategic shift in its Kashmir policy, particularly after India abrogated Article 370 that granted special powers to J&K. Khalid has always held the view that it was because of Pakistan’s decision to scale back LeT’s operations in Kashmir that violence escalated in Balochistan as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources said. A section of the people claim that the TRF gunned down the tourists to retaliate against 85,000 domicile certificates issued to non-locals, though there is no conclusive evidence to establish it. Since its inception, the TRF has targeted non-Kashmiris and minorities. The murders of well-known chemist Makhan Lal Pandita and school principal Supinder Kaur in 2021, the 2023 Anantnag encounter, and the killing of civilians in Ganderbal in 2024, were all done by the TRF. INDIA IS UNITED IN FIGHTING IT, SAYS KHARGE Kashmir observes bandh against killings by terrorists for the first time in more than 35 years 1 Army personnel at the site of the attack P R A B H AT S H U K L A @ New Delhi 500 fuel refilling stations STARTING July 1, owners of end-of-life (EoL) vehicles will face difficulties as petrol bunks will no longer sell them fuel, in compliance with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directives. To implement this, all fuel stations in Delhi must install automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras by June 30. The commission has mandated that these fuel stations must refuse to refuel EoL vehicles from the specified dates, and authorities must take immediate legal action, including impounding and scrapping under the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility Rules. The CAQM has issued orders that tighten restrictions on diesel vehicles older than 10 years, The capital has 500 fuel refilling stations and over 27.5 lakh endof-life vehicles, while Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have over 61 lakh and 22 lakh, respectively. All departments concerned in the city have been asked to submit monthly progress reports to the commission. Pahalgam terror attack is direct assault on Indian state, the country is one in fighting, says Cong chief Kharge 2 petrol vehicles older than 15 years, and high-emission vehicles. All transport and commercial goods vehicles below BS-VI standards, registered outside Delhi will be barred from entering the capital from November 1, according to the order. However, exceptions will made for those carrying essential commodities or providing emergency services Exodus begins, 90% tour bookings for Kashmir cancelled, say Delhi travel agencies 3 until October 31, 2026. The commission also stressed the need for year-round restrictions to control emissions, not just during the Graded Response Action Plan period. This system must be fully operational in Delhi by June 30, followed by five high-density NCR districts, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Sonipat, following suit by October 31. The remaining areas of NCR must comply by March 31, 2026. Traffic surveillance and Integrated Command Control Centres will be used to identify and act against EoL vehicles. In March, the government unveiled its plans that fuel pumps in the city will not provide petrol and diesel to vehicles older than 15 and 10 years, respectively . ‘We’ve made a mistake’ ‘Influencing witnesses’ While hearing ED pleas seeking recall of the bail granted to Senthil Balaji for “influencing witnesses”, the SC took strong objection to him becoming a minister soon after he got bail Balaji took oath as minister, assuming charge of electricity, non-conventional energ y, and excise portfolios in CM MK Stalin’s cabinet on September 29. During the hearing the bench questioned his conduct and reappointment by referring to Airlines operate addl flights to Srinagar with reasonable airfare for tourists wanting to return home early 4 Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared. Those behind the Pahalgam atrocity will face severe consequences —Amit Shah, Union home minister Justice Oka said, “We will record it in the order we have made a mistake by ignoring judgments against you, as entire hearing proceeded on footing that you are no longer minister” minister soon after he got bail, was hearing the applications filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking recall of the bail granted to him for “influencing witnesses in the case”. The SC granted bail to Balaji in the money laundering case on September 26 last year. But immediately after getting bail, PENALTY OVER APP STORE MONOPOLY, ADS UNDERWENT COLONOSCOPY, EYE SURGERY AppleIn Julypay 500 million euros for preventing app makers must 2024, according to the report, Trump had a from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App colonoscopy that found a benign polyp and a condition Store. As for Meta Platforms, it mustcondition in which euro called diverticulosis. It’s a common pay a 200 million the fine for of the intestine weaken with age.users to choose walls forcing Facebook and Instagram It can lead to between seeing personalised ads or paying to avoid them. inflammation, though most people with it never experience any problems. Trump also had cataract surgery Both companies indicated they would appeal | P10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday that decided on coercive action against Pakistan over the J&K massacre | PTI CAQM directs city govt to deny fuel to all overaged vehicles from July 1 @ New Delhi In a reports of Donald Trump said he with the US, the pounds since Testdecision likely to further strain its tieshas dropped 20EU has slapped steep penalties on the test in 2020. He now weighs competition rules his last physical American firms for breaking its 224 pounds Sketches out, Khalid mastermind MORE REPORTS ON P5,7 & 8 S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y EUROPEAN UNION HITS APPLE,ROLE TRUMP FULLY FIT TO DON META WITH 700 MILLION EUROS IN FINES OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF: DOCS His blood pressure was 128 over 74. That is considered elevated, and people in that situation are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition 12 EXPRESS READ New curricula for allied, health professionals The Centre on Wednesday launched competency-based curricula for 10 allied and healthcare professions. The curricula covers professions, including physiotherapy; applied psychology and behavioural health; nutrition and dietetics; dialysis therapy. The new curricula will be mandatorily implemented from 2026. Saket G Block to be new interchange hub: DMRC The Saket G Block station is all set to become a new interchange hub in south Delhi, connecting the upcoming corridor from Aerocity to Tughlakabad with another line stretching towards Lajpat Nagar, according to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Once operational, the station will join locations like Tughlakabad, Chhatarpur, Aerocity, Chirag Delhi, and Lajpat Nagar. Quit as TN minister within a week or lose bail, SC warns Balaji T H E S u p re m e C o u r t o n Wednesday war ned Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji that if he does not resign from his ministership, the bail granted to him in the money laundering case linked to the ‘cash-for-jobs’ scam would be cancelled. The two-judge bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih gave Balaji time till next Monday (April 28) to decide. The court, which took strong objection to Balaji becoming a DAYS TIMEFRAME FOR APPLE AND META TO COMPLY WITH THE DECISION FACES RISK OF ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE X.com/TheMornStandard An overnight Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City killed 25 people, as Arab mediators worked on a proposal to end the war, officials said. 60 BEATS PER MINUTE IS THE HEART RATE OF DONALD TRUMP AS PER REPORTS the observations in a previous judgment, which recorded that, as a minister, he had forced people to withdraw the complaints filed against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Justice Oka said that the bail was grant- ed only on the grounds of delay in trial and long incarceration. “You were granted bail not on merits, but on the ground of Article 21 violation.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the ED, pointed out that Balaji, to plead for bail, had said that he had resigned as a minister. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Balaji, said that the trial can be shifted out of the state if there was an apprehension of him influencing witnesses. “That will not serve the purpose. There are 1,000 witnesses,” Justice Oka said. FIRST ACTION UNDER DIGITAL MARKETS ACT The penalties were the first issued under the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, designed to give consumers and businesses more choice and prevent Big Tech “gatekeepers” from cornering digital markets SAARC VISA SCHEME OFF J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah consoles the father of Syed Adil Shah who was killed in the terrorist attack | PTI LOCAL LAD FOUGHT ASSAILANTS, LAID DOWN HIS LIFE F AYA Z W A N I @ Srinagar WHEN terrorists opened fire at tourists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam on Tuesday , local pony ride operator Syed Adil Shah’s first instinct was not to run for cover, but to save the lives of the tourists around him. The sole breadwinner of his family, Adil charged at the terrorists, trying to snatch the gun from one of them to stop the attack. This selfless act cost him his life. “He attempted to snatch the rifle of a militant to prevent him from firing and save the lives of the tourists. That is why he was then targeted,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Syed Adil Shah Abdullah told reporters. Adil’s body was returned to his family on Wednesday “We have to take . care of his family. The government stands with him and whatever it can do, it will do,” Abdullah said while attending his funeral. Adil left home on Tuesday morning for work, his father said. “Around 3 pm, we heard that tourists were attacked at Baisaran. We tried to call him, but his phone was switched off,” he said. The family lodged a complaint with the local police station. In the evening, they were informed that Adil was shot dead. “He was our sole breadwinner and we were dependent on him for our survival,” Adil’s father said demanding justice. NBW against Patkar for not complying with bail terms in defamation case S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi A city court has issued a nonbailable warrant against Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar after she failed to comply with the terms of her release in a 23-year-old defamation case filed by L-G V K Saxena. The case, initiated by Saxena in 2000 when he led the National Council of Civil Liberties, stems from a press release issued by Patkar on November 24 that year. In it, she accused him of being involved in hawala transactions. These statements, a magisterial court ruled last year, were not only defamatory but designed to provoke negative public sentiment. On May 24 last year, the court found her guilty of defamation. It concluded that her comments constituted a direct assault on Saxena’s personal integrity . On July 1, Patkar was sentenced to five months’ simple imprisonment. But she later secured probation of good con- duct, with a condition to deposit a fine of `1 lakh. Judge Vishal Singh of Saket Court, granted this leniency on April 8, 2025. Despite the concession, Patkar failed to appear in court on Wednesday for the furnishing of probation bonds and payment of the fine. Her absence, combined with non-compliance, led the court to issue a non-bailable warrant through t h e D e l h i Po l i c e commissioner. “The intention of convict Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the Court order; she is avoiding to appear before the Court and also avoiding to accept the terms of sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this Court on 08/04/2025,” the court said. Judge Singh noted that the court is left with no option than to enforce the production of Medha Patkar through coercive order. The court has now fixed May 3 as the next date of hearing in the case. HOLLYWOOD HARVEY WEINSTEIN RAPE RETRIAL BEGINS AMID NEW #METOO ERA Opening statements in Harvey Weinstein rape retrial began on Wednesday, five years after his original #MeToo trial delivered a searing reckoning for one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures. | P9