The Ministry of Home Affairs said the directive followed a high-level video conference chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, instructing state governments to enforce the move.

With tensions heightened between India and Pakistan in the wake of attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the Pakistan army on Friday initiated firing of small arms in some places along the Line of Control (LoC), sources in the know said, adding that the Indian Army responded effectively, and no casualties had been reported.

A day after suspected militants killed 26 people and injured 17 more at a tourist destination in Kashmir, India announced new measures to downgrade its ties with Pakistan.