NEW DELHI: India has imposed an immediate ban on the import and transit of goods from Pakistan, citing national security concerns amid escalating tensions after the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification dated May 2, stating that the ban applies to all goods “originating in or exported from Pakistan,” either directly or indirectly.
“This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy,” the notification said, adding that any exception to the prohibition would require specific government approval.
The move comes in the wake of an attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in IIOJK, where at least 26 tourists were killed by suspected militants.
Without presenting evidence, Indian officials swiftly blamed Pakistan for the incident.
Pakistan strongly condemned the attack and rejected “baseless and irresponsible” accusations by India.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a neutral and independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack and warned against unilateral actions that could further inflame the situation.
Following the attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved a series of measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
In response, Pakistan announced the suspension of all trade with India, the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft, and the expulsion of Indian diplomats.
Islamabad also warned that any Indian attempt to alter the flow of the Indus River—governed by a decades-old treaty—would be considered an act of war.
The flare-up has heightened fears of a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations. Cross-border shelling has been reported along the Line of Control (LoC), with both sides blaming each other for ceasefire violations.
The United Nations has called on both countries to exercise “maximum restraint” and avoid any steps that could lead to military escalation.
Meanwhile, Kashmiris and Muslim communities in India have reported rising hostility and violence in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
Reports of Hindu mob aggression, social media incitement, and arbitrary detentions have emerged from several Indian cities.
In Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, a complete shutdown was observed following the incident, with newspapers printing black front pages in protest.
Candlelight vigils and protest marches were held across the disputed region, as local leaders decried the politicisation of the tragedy.
Human rights observers have raised concerns over growing communal tensions and the shrinking space for dissent in the region.
Trade between India and Pakistan has remained limited in recent years, largely due to political hostilities.
