The Indian action came amidst rising anger among political parties over the barbaric beheading of an Indian soldier and mutilation of the body of another jawan by Pakistan and demands for tough action.
In his first public remarks on the issue, the Prime Minister justified the government's action, saying "after this barbaric act, there cannot be business as ususal with Pakistan".
He emphasised that "Those responsible for this crime will have to be brought to book" and hoped "Pakistan realises this".
When pointed out that Pakistan was in a denial mode on the cross-LoC attack, Singh said, "we will keep trying".
India was to operationalise the long-delayed visa-on- arrival facility to senior citizens of Pakistan today but quietly put it on hold indefinitely. The facility was to be accorded for those above 65 years crossing the Attari-Wagah border by foot.
Government sources said the decision was taken after several agencies sought clarifications on facilities to be offered to the Pakistani citizens.
The visa on arrival facility under the new visa agreement between India and Pakistan signed in September 2012 to ease cross-border travel as part of Confidence Building Measures(CBM).
No new date has been fixed for operationalisation of the visa on arrival facility to the Pakistani senior citizens.
"We will take a decision at an appropriate time," Union Home Secretary R K Singh told PTI. (MORE)
