Pakistan closes border, airspace as ‘reciprocal measures’ against India

Islamabad: Pakistan s government hit back on Thursday with a string of tit for tat measures, including closing of airspace for all Indian owned or In...

Islamabad: Pakistan's government hit back on Thursday with a string of tit-for-tat measures, including closing of airspace "for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines" and Wagah border against its neighbour India, who accused Islamabad of supporting "cross-border terrorism" following a brutal attack on Indian tourists.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) with top military officials, including powerful Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, in the capital Islamabad in response to India's measures.

"Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a statement released by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office said after the NSC meeting.

New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties and withdrew visas for Pakistanis on Wednesday night, just over 24 hours after gunmen killed 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The slew of measures announced by the Pakistan government in response on Thursday included expelling Indian diplomats and cancelling visas for Indian nationals with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.