New Delhi: India has imposed an immediate ban on the import and transit of goods from Pakistan, which will remain in force until further notice, India's General Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has confirmed. "Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy," the DGFT stated in a notification.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the ban takes effect immediately until further orders, with any exception requiring prior governmental approval. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following a terrorist attack near the town of Pahalgam in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, in which a group of armed Islamist militants killed 26 people. The terrorist-linked Resistance Front insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack.

India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack and responded by reducing mutual diplomatic representation, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the only functioning land border crossing between the two countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the army operational freedom to decide on the manner, targets, and timing of a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Pakistan retaliated by suspending all trade with India and closing its airspace to Indian flights. Pakistan's National Security Committee announced that it would view any attempt by India to divert the flow of the Indus River as an act of war. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told RIA Novosti that Pakistan would reciprocate if India attacks.