India has imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan or routed through its territory, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly terror attack last month.
According to a government notification issued on May 2 and reported by Bloomberg on Saturday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated that the ban takes effect immediately. The measure, it said, was implemented in the interest of **national security and public policy**. Any exceptions will require prior approval from the Indian government.
The move follows an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed over 20 people, most of them tourists. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, blamed Pakistan for the assault and vowed retaliation against those responsible.
Pakistan has denied involvement and warned of consequences if India resorts to military action.
On Saturday, the Indian Army reported a continued exchange of gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for the eighth consecutive night, accusing Pakistani forces of initiating the firing. The Indian military said it returned fire using light weapons.
Meanwhile, authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir advised residents in several districts to stockpile at least two months’ worth of food, fearing a potential escalation into a wider conflict.
The ban on trade further signals deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries, with cross-border hostilities and nationalistic rhetoric intensifying on both sides.
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