Delhi police on Thursday removed at least two layers of barricades outside the Pakistani High Commission in the national capital region, hours after the Centre announced several retaliatory steps like suspension of the Indus Water Treaty against Pakistan. This comes in the wake of the underlying cross-border linkage of the terrorist attack near Pahalgam that killed 26 people and injured many, with the Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

On Tuesday, 3 three-layer barricade was placed before the High Commission of Pakistan after the news of the attack came to the surface. The Delhi police also stepped up security since several organisations were issuing a call for a protest against terrorism. The barricades remained in place until Wednesday, but on Thursday morning, only a single layer of barricade protected the high commission, along with police personnel standing guard.

Protests

Two sets of protesters, belonging to the BJP and the anti-terror action forum, arrived at the spot. They were stopped in front of the Pakistani high commission and were asked to continue their agitation at the Delhi veteran pro site, Jantar Mantar.

However, by afternoon, the protesting groups managed to beat security and go near the high commission with an Indian flag and slogans against Pakistan.

Diplomatic retaliation by Delhi after the Pahalgam attack includes suspension of Indus water treaty, reducing the mission strength by half, expelling diplomats and top defence officials from Pakistan high commission, cancelling all visas granted to Pakistani national under a SAARC scheme and urging them to leave within 48 hours, shutting the Attari-Wagha border and asking those who crossed over to return through the route by May 1. India has also withdrawn its own advisors and staff from the mission in Islamabad.