The Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, stands as one of the deadliest terrorist assaults on civilians in India in over a decade. In the Baisaran Valley, near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, gunmen in military fatigues opened fire on tourists. The attackers used AK-47s and M4 carbines, killing 26 people—including 25 tourists and a local Muslim pony operator—and injuring 20 others. A Nepali national was among the victims, who were from various Indian states. The assailants reportedly singled out Hindu men and asked them to recite Islamic verses;
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security as a response after returning early from an official visit to Saudi Arabia. The government identified Saifullah Kasuri, a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as the mastermind behind the attack. Security forces launched a massive manhunt in the region, and intelligence sources revealed that the militants were well-trained and equipped with helmet-mounted cameras, likely to record the attack . IN
IN INDIA’S ACTION
Suspension of Indus Water Treaty (1960)
The Indus Waters Treaty, which regulates the sharing of water from the Indus River system, has been suspended indefinitely by India. This decision halts Pakistan’s access to water from the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) allocated to it under the treaty. India justifies this as a response to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, while Pakistan views this as a potential war crime and violation of international law.
Diplomatic Measures:
India has declared the Pakistani military attachés persona non grata and ordered them to leave within a week. India has also revoked all Pakistani citizens’ SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas and closed the Wagah-Attari border, the only land crossing between the two countries.
Military Preparedness:
India has conducted emergency preparedness exercises across the country in response to the rising tensions, including civilian training exercises and air strike simulations. These exercises are the most extensive since the 1971 India-Pakistan War and reflect India’s preparedness for potential conflict.
Infrastructure Development:
In Jammu and Kashmir, India has accelerated the development of hydroelectric projects, particularly on the Chenab River, as part of a contentious water-sharing agreement with Pakistan. These projects have strained relations with Pakistan and aim to increase India’s energy capacity.
Pakistan’s reaction.
India’s measures were rejected:
Pakistan has condemned India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and called it a violation of international agreements. Pakistan considers any attempt to divert water an act of war and has vowed to defend its rights.
Diplomatic Retaliation:
In retaliation, Pakistan has expelled Indian diplomats, closed the Wagah border from its side, and suspended all trade and airspace access for Indian airlines. A significant diplomatic impasse between the two nations has resulted from these actions.
Military Preparedness:
Pakistan has conducted missile tests and has expressed readiness to defend its sovereignty against any Indian aggression. The country maintains that it will respond firmly to any perceived threats.
🌐 International Reactions
United Nations:
Both India and Pakistan have been urged to talk and de-escalate tensions by the UN Security Council. The ongoing crisis’s potential for conflict and its impact on humankind have the international community concerned.
Economic Impact:
Tourism in the Kashmir region has been severely impacted by the escalating tensions, with significant visitor declines on both the Indian and Pakistani sides. The ongoing conflict is putting a strain on tourism-dependent local economies.
