India has unveiled a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, just a day after 26 people were gunned down at a tourist destination in the Indian-administered Kashmir town of Pahalgam. The wide-reaching actions include the closure of the main border crossing, suspension of a historic water treaty, expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, and a directive ordering some Pakistani visa holders to exit the country within 48 hours.
The response follows one of the most devastating attacks in the troubled region in recent years, raising fears of a further deterioration in the already tense relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Though Pakistan has denied involvement, the Indian government’s swift retaliation signals that it holds Islamabad, at the very least, indirectly accountable.
India and Pakistan have long been locked in a bitter dispute over the Kashmir region, which both nations claim in its entirety but govern in parts. Since their separation in 1947, the two countries have fought multiple wars over the territory, and clashes continue to erupt with alarming frequency. This latest incident threatens to deepen the rift further.
Indian authorities have been vocal in their anger and suspicion. Although there is no official confirmation, Indian intelligence agencies believe that a militant group known as the Kashmir Resistance orchestrated the attack. BBC News has not independently confirmed this allegation, and a manhunt for the perpetrators remained ongoing as of Wednesday evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the massacre and issued a strong message. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice,” Modi posted on X. “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
As part of its response, India declared it would suspend the Indus Water Treaty, a landmark agreement that has withstood decades of conflict and diplomatic hostility since its signing in 1960. The treaty delineates control of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries—granting India authority over the eastern rivers and Pakistan the western ones. Crucially, the treaty mandates that India must allow waters from the western rivers to flow into Pakistan, barring limited exceptions.
This move marks a significant departure from India’s usual diplomatic restraint concerning the water agreement and represents a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions. It also puts at risk a long-standing framework that has helped prevent even more friction between the two countries during past crises.
India’s retaliatory measures also include diplomatic expulsions. Pakistani military advisers stationed at the Pakistani embassy in Delhi were ordered to leave immediately, and additional expulsions are scheduled for the coming week, according to a government statement.
While India continues its investigation and hunt for the attackers, Pakistan’s leadership has convened its top security officials. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan’s National Security Council, the highest body handling the country’s military and security affairs, would meet on Thursday to formulate a response.
In the aftermath of the bloodshed, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims. “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives,” the ministry said, adding that Pakistan conveyed its condolences.
Yet, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh made clear that India’s reaction would not be limited to catching the gunmen alone. He implied that those orchestrating such attacks from behind the scenes would also be targeted. “We will not only reach those who have perpetrated this incident but also those who, sitting behind the scenes, have conspired to commit such acts on the soil of India,” Singh said.
The deadly assault in Pahalgam has not only shocked India but also prompted global condemnation. Leaders from across the world have denounced the killings and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. Within India, outrage has mixed with grief as the country comes to terms with the latest tragedy in a region too often marked by violence.
Eyewitness accounts painted a horrific picture of the event. Tourists, many with children, scrambled to escape as the gunmen opened fire. Chaos erupted at what had been a peaceful vacation spot nestled in the Himalayas.
Some bystanders reported that the attackers may have been targeting non-Muslims, although other witnesses described the shootings as indiscriminate. The majority of those killed were Hindu men, but the death toll also included a local Muslim resident.
The broader implications of the massacre are already beginning to show. The attack has shaken the confidence of the local tourism industry, which has seen a recent revival after years of unrest. “We cannot get over the fact that such an incident has occurred, and that too in the place we call heaven on earth,” said Akib Chaya, a hotel owner and member of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, during an interview with BBC’s Newshour.
“Tourists have been coming to Kashmir since the last three or four decades and they have never been touched,” Chaya added, underlining the sense of disbelief that has gripped the region’s residents.
Despite the various accounts from witnesses, the Indian government has not officially confirmed whether the attackers specifically targeted victims based on religion. This ambiguity adds to the complexity of the narrative and raises further questions about the motives behind the attack.
As the fallout continues to unfold, all eyes remain on how Pakistan will respond to India’s sweeping countermeasures. The decisions taken at Thursday’s National Security Council meeting may either dial down or further inflame the conflict.
This tragedy has once again brought Kashmir to the center of a geopolitical storm. With strong rhetoric from Indian leaders, stern diplomatic actions, and deep-seated mistrust between the two countries, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty. As India seeks to pursue justice and security, the consequences of these developments may resonate far beyond the borders of Kashmir.