Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a new high following a brutal militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists near the popular hill resort of Pahalgam. Gunmen opened fire on unarmed visitors, including families and honeymooners, marking one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in nearly two decades.
Indian authorities have named three of the suspects—two Pakistani nationals and one local Kashmiri—allegedly affiliated with the banned Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pakistan has categorically denied any role in the incident, accusing India of making unsubstantiated claims without credible evidence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, calling it a strike against the soul of the nation. In a public address, he promised retribution, stating, “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer… we will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.” A two-minute silence was held nationwide in memory of the victims.
Diplomatic Fallout and Treaty Suspension
In retaliation, India has taken sweeping diplomatic measures against Pakistan. The Indian government announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—a crucial six-decade-old water-sharing agreement mediated by the World Bank—citing Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. The move has provoked outrage in Islamabad, with Pakistan’s power minister branding it “water warfare” and warning of severe consequences.
India has also downgraded diplomatic ties by expelling Pakistan’s defence advisers from its embassy in New Delhi and reducing its own staff strength in Islamabad. All visa services for Pakistani nationals have been suspended, and the Attari-Wagah border has been shut down.
Pakistan’s Tit-for-Tat Response
Pakistan responded swiftly with a set of countermeasures. It closed its airspace to Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines, suspended all trade with India, and halted the issuance of visas to Indian nationals. Islamabad has also ordered Indian defence and naval officials to leave the country by April 30 and announced a reduction in diplomatic staff at the Indian High Commission.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee rejected India’s accusations, asserting that there was no verifiable evidence linking the attack to Pakistan. Officials warned that any attempt to obstruct the Indus river flow would be treated as an act of war.
Rising Tensions at Home and Across the Border
The impact of the attack has extended beyond diplomatic channels. Nearly 1,800 Pakistani nationals currently staying in India—particularly in Uttar Pradesh—have been ordered to return home. Local authorities have begun collecting data and warned of legal action against those who overstay or attempt to hide.
Meanwhile, tensions have flared domestically in India, with reports of Kashmiri Muslim students being harassed in various states. Videos circulating online show right-wing groups threatening students in Uttarakhand. Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have condemned the attacks on students and urged the central government to act.
As the region reels from the Pahalgam tragedy, India has detained over 1,500 people for questioning and offered a reward for information on the attackers. An all-party meeting in Delhi, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, is being held to unite the political leadership and chart a path forward amid growing regional instability.
