April 24, 2025 — New Delhi | India has taken sweeping diplomatic and strategic measures against Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead at a popular tourist site in Pahalgam.
The Indian government on Wednesday ordered the closure of the main border crossing between the two countries, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and expelled multiple Pakistani diplomats, including military advisers stationed at the Pakistani embassy in Delhi. Some Pakistani nationals with Indian visas have also been told to leave the country within 48 hours.
The actions come a day after one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir in recent years, which has further strained the already tense relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Gunmen opened fire on tourists in the scenic Himalayan town, killing dozens and sending shockwaves across the region. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as families fled in terror, with some suggesting the attackers may have targeted non-Muslims—though the Indian government has not confirmed this.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed justice in a public statement, saying, “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh echoed the sentiment, stating that India’s response would target not just the attackers but also those who planned the assault “from behind the scenes.”
Indian intelligence has reportedly linked the attack to a group called Kashmir Resistance, although this claim remains unverified by independent sources. A manhunt for the perpetrators is ongoing.
Pakistan’s government has denied any involvement in the attack and expressed condolences for the victims, stating it was “concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives.” However, India has long accused Pakistan of supporting armed militant groups operating in Kashmir—a charge Islamabad strongly denies.
In response to India’s measures, Pakistan’s National Security Council is expected to convene on Thursday to formulate its official stance and potential countermeasures.
One of the most striking retaliatory steps from India is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement brokered in 1960 that has withstood several wars and decades of tense diplomacy. The treaty governs how the two countries share the vital waters of the Indus River and its tributaries, providing Pakistan with access to the western rivers.
The international community has condemned the attack and called for restraint from both nations. Meanwhile, residents and local business owners in Kashmir mourn the impact on a region often described as “heaven on Earth.” “Tourists have been coming to Kashmir for decades and they have never been touched,” said Akib Chaya, a hotel owner and member of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce.
The latest escalation threatens to derail efforts at dialogue and peacebuilding between the two neighbors, reigniting fears of a wider regional conflict.