New Delhi, May 4: In a sharp escalation of tensions, Pakistan has barred Indian ships from using its ports, following India’s sweeping trade and maritime sanctions imposed on Islamabad earlier the same day.
India announced a total ban on goods imported from or transiting through Pakistan, along with a prohibition on Pakistani ships docking at Indian ports. The move came in response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking “firm and decisive” steps against terrorism and those supporting it.
Reacting to India’s sanctions, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs issued an order Saturday night— blocking all Indian-flagged vessels from accessing Pakistani ports and reciprocally preventing Pakistani vessels from entering Indian ports. The order cited maritime sovereignty, national security, and economic interests as reasons for the action, and stated that any exceptions would be reviewed individually.
In addition to port restrictions, India also halted mail and parcel exchanges with Pakistan via air and land routes. According to the Directorate General of Shipping, Indian ships have now been barred from visiting Pakistani ports as well.
While direct trade between the two countries had already dwindled due to a 200% tariff imposed by India after the 2019 Pulwama attack, the new measures extend the embargo to Pakistani goods routed through third countries. The Indian government cited national security and public policy concerns for the comprehensive trade ban.
These steps follow India’s earlier punitive actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the land border at Attari, and a diplomatic downgrade.
Amid these developments, Pakistan’s military announced the successful test of the Abdali missile, a 450-km range surface-to-surface weapon, which it described as a demonstration of operational readiness. Indian officials in New Delhi called the missile test a deliberate provocation.
Meanwhile, the manhunt for the Pahalgam attackers continued. Sri Lankan police searched a flight from Chennai to Colombo after receiving a tip-off about a possible suspect. Indian investigators have identified four attackers, including two Pakistani nationals, in connection with the massacre. SriLankan Airlines confirmed the plane was inspected and cleared for further operations.
