India cancelled visas for Pakistanis on Thursday amid rising tension between the two neighbours.

This comes after India blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack by gunmen that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir.

Islamabad has denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also warned India that suspending a water treaty would be considered an act of war.

In New Delhi, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said any valid residence permits for Pakistanis would be revoked.

The ministry said that the measure would take effect from Sunday, and those affected must leave the country before their visas expire. 

The ministry also advised Indian nationals currently in Pakistan to leave the country as soon as possible and strongly discouraged travel to the neighbouring country.

The South Asian nations, which have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, were once again up against each other after the Kashmir attacks.

The two sides have downgraded their diplomatic relations and closed border crossings and their airspaces to each other.

On Wednesday, India announced the suspension of a 1960 water treaty that was brokered and guaranteed by the World Bank.

“Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water … will be considered as an act of war and responded to with full force across the complete spectrum of national power,” said a statement issued from the Pakistani prime minister’s office.

 (dpa/NAN)