News Desk
ISLAMABAD — A deadly terrorist attack in the picturesque Pahalgam valley of Indian-administered Kashmir has thrust Pakistan into the international spotlight, reigniting accusations of its complicity in cross-border terrorism and escalating tensions with India to a dangerous new high. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday, April 22, has prompted a swift and severe response from New Delhi, with Pakistan’s tepid reaction drawing criticism for its perceived ambiguity.
The assault, carried out in the Baisaran meadow—known as “mini Switzerland” for its serene beauty—was one of the deadliest in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack. Gunmen, suspected to include Pakistani nationals, opened fire on unsuspecting visitors, targeting them based on their faith, according to Indian officials and eyewitness accounts. The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, further fueling India’s allegations of Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism.
India’s response was immediate and uncompromising. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia, chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, unveiling a five-point action plan targeting Pakistan. The measures include suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border crossing, revoking all visas for Pakistani nationals, expelling Pakistani military diplomats, and ordering Pakistanis in India to leave within 48 hours. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri declared that India would be “unrelenting” in pursuing the perpetrators and their sponsors, signaling a near-total breakdown in diplomatic relations.
Pakistan’s reaction has been a mix of condemnation and deflection, raising questions about its commitment to combating terrorism. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry expressed “concern” over the loss of lives and extended condolences but stopped short of labeling the incident as terrorism. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in a television interview, denied Pakistan’s involvement, calling India’s attempts to link the attack to Islamabad “frivolous.” Pakistan’s National Security Committee convened on Thursday to formulate a response, rejecting India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as an “act of war” and announcing reciprocal measures, including closing its airspace to Indian airlines and suspending visas for Indian nationals.
The international community has watched with alarm as the nuclear-armed neighbors edge closer to conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the attack, affirming America’s support for India, while Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity. Analysts warn that Pakistan’s ambiguous stance risks further isolating it diplomatically. “Pakistan’s failure to unequivocally condemn the attack and commit to action against terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba undermines its credibility,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. “The world is watching, and half-measures won’t suffice.”
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a rare point of cooperation between the two nations, has particularly alarmed observers. The treaty governs the sharing of six rivers critical to both countries’ agriculture and energy needs. Pakistan, heavily dependent on these waters, called the move a “hostile act,” with officials warning of severe economic consequences. Experts fear that this escalation could destabilize the region, with ripple effects on global food security.
Within Pakistan, the government faces domestic pressure to respond forcefully, but its options are limited. The country’s economy, already strained by inflation and debt, cannot afford a prolonged confrontation. Public sentiment, as reflected in local media, is divided: some rally behind the government’s defiance, while others criticize its handling of terrorism, pointing to the safe havens militant groups continue to enjoy in Pakistan’s border regions.
In Kashmir, the attack has left a trail of grief and fear. Among the dead were an Indian Navy officer on his honeymoon and an Intelligence Bureau official on a family holiday, underscoring the attack’s brutality. Protests erupted across Indian-administered Kashmir, with locals condemning the violence, while security forces launched a manhunt for the attackers.
For Pakistan, the Pahalgam attack is a critical test of its willingness to confront the specter of terrorism within its borders. India’s aggressive measures have raised the stakes, and the world awaits Islamabad’s next move. As one Western diplomat in Islamabad put it, “Pakistan can either take this as a wake-up call to crack down on militant groups or risk being branded a pariah state. The clock is ticking.”
The escalating crisis serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of peace in South Asia, where historical grievances and modern militancy continue to collide with devastating consequences. For now, the people of Pahalgam mourn their losses, while the specter of a broader conflict looms large over the subcontinent.
