Pakistan government’s X handle withheld in India following Pahalgam terror attack
New Delhi: The Government of Pakistan’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle has been withheld in India following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 28 lives. The account, @GovtofPakistan, is no longer accessible within Indian territory and displays a message citing legal action as the reason for the restriction.
The move came shortly after India imposed a series of diplomatic sanctions against Pakistan, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism. The sanctions were announced by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The CCS meeting was convened in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack, in which a group of armed terrorists opened fire on tourists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam. According to officials, the attackers targeted Hindu pilgrims. The government has described the incident as a deliberate and ghastly act of violence.
India’s diplomatic response includes the following measures:
1. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has been suspended until Pakistan provides credible and irreversible assurances that it will cease supporting terrorism.
2. The Attari Integrated Check Post has been closed for cross-border movement. Indian nationals with valid endorsements may return through this route until May 1, 2025.
3. The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) has been revoked for Pakistani nationals. Existing SVES visas have been cancelled, and Pakistani nationals currently in India under this scheme must leave within 48 hours.
4. Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave the country within a week.
5. India is withdrawing its own Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad, rendering these posts inactive on both sides.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that these measures reflect India’s firm stance against terrorism and its intent to safeguard national security. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability for the attack and justice for the victims.
No official response has been issued by the Pakistani government regarding the withholding of its X handle or the sanctions announced by India.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
