Murshidabad (West Bengal) [India], April 24 (ANI): After the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary Md Salim on Thursday sharply criticised the central government, questioning its claims made after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to ANI, Salim called on the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to go beyond mere formal condemnations and take concrete action. He expressed doubts over the government's assertions of restoring normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir.

'CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) meeting would definitely condemn this, but other than that, they should do something more. People are angry. The government said that by the abrogation of Article 370, a solution has been found for J&K's problems. We had been told that it wouldn't be this easy. How is the infiltration happening? Security at the border, what are they doing? Why is such a situation happening?' Salim asked.

The terrorist attack on Tuesday in Pahalgam targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.

Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides.

India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

'The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect.

The central government has called an all-party meeting to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The meeting will be held at 6 pm on Thursday at the Parliament. According to sources, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the meeting. (ANI)