Pahalgam attack: Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans ports and imports from Islamabad

Pakistan has barred Indian-flagged vessels from accessing its ports, just hours after India announced a series of punitive measures against Islamabad, including a ban on the import of goods from Pakistan and the entry of Pakistani ships into Indian ports.On Saturday, the Indian government imposed a blanket ban on imports originating from or transiting through Pakistan. The ban, which took immediate effect, also prohibits Pakistani ships from docking at Indian ports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was committed to taking “firm and decisive” action against terrorists and those who support them.In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ Ports and Shipping Wing issued an order late Saturday prohibiting Indian flag carriers from visiting any Pakistani port, Dawn newspaper reported. The directive also banned Pakistani vessels from calling at Indian ports.“In view of the recent development of maritime situation with neighbouring country, Pakistan in order to safeguard maritime sovereignty, economic interest and national security enforces following measures with immediate effect: Indian flag carriers shall not be allowed to visit any Pakistani port, Pakistani flag carriers shall not visit any Indian port (and) any exemption or dispensation shall be examined and decided on case to case basis,” Dawn quoted the ministry’s order as saying.The developments follow the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists, triggering a fresh wave of diplomatic and economic retaliation between the two countries.In a sweeping set of new measures, India also suspended the exchange of mail and parcels with Pakistan via air and land routes. Additionally, Indian vessels have been barred from visiting Pakistani ports, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) confirmed. A government notification stated that the complete ban on imports from Pakistan was introduced in the interest of national security and public policy. While the 200% import duty imposed in 2019 after the Pulwama attack had largely halted direct trade, the new directive also blocks Pakistani goods routed through third countries.These steps come on the heels of earlier Indian actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari land border crossing, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.Meanwhile, the Pakistan army announced a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km. A statement from the military said the exercise was intended to ensure operational readiness and validate key technical parameters.In New Delhi, sources familiar with the situation described the missile test as a “blatant” act of “provocation.”As the search for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack continued, Sri Lankan authorities searched a flight arriving in Colombo from Chennai after receiving a tip-off that a suspect might be on board. A Sri Lankan police spokesperson confirmed the operation, while SriLankan Airlines issued a statement saying the aircraft had been thoroughly inspected and cleared for further operations.Indian authorities have identified four terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, including two Pakistani nationals.