New Delhi: India has imposed a sweeping ban on the import of goods originating from or transiting through Pakistan, citing national security concerns after the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.
The decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Friday, takes immediate effect and is part of a broader diplomatic and economic response against Pakistan.
Notification- Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Notably, the Pahalgam massacre, which claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists and local residents, has been attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Eyewitnesses reported that victims were targeted based on their religious identity and killed in front of their families—an act that has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for decisive action.
Earlier, India has also suspended its airspace for all Pakistani commercial and military flights. The step mirrors a similar airspace restriction imposed earlier by Pakistan, which has already disrupted flight routes for Pakistani carriers.
The developments follow India’s decision to place its bilateral treaty with Pakistan “in abeyance” and underscore a sharp deterioration in relations. Indian authorities have directly linked the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan-backed elements and accused Islamabad of incitement through provocative statements from its military leadership, notably Army Chief General Asim Munir.
In response, Pakistan has implemented retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of Indian diplomats, suspension of cross-border trade, and closure of its airspace to Indian carriers.
The escalating standoff draws comparisons to the aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama attack, after which India conducted airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan. With both nations hardening positions, the regional diplomatic climate remains tense.
