Following a deadly assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has taken a series of significant diplomatic and security steps, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and closing the Attari border crossing.
Key Developments:
- Treaty Suspended: India announced an immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 1960 water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, citing cross-border terrorism links to the attack.
- Attari Border Closed: Movement through the Attari-Wagah border has been halted. Pakistanis in India under the Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme have 48 hours to leave, with broader travel restrictions in place until May 1.
- Diplomatic Expulsions: Pakistan’s military and defense attachés in Delhi were declared persona non grata. India will also pull back its military staff from its Islamabad mission and cut embassy personnel from 55 to 30.
- Tourist Attack: At least 26 male tourists were killed and 17 injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire in Pahalgam, a popular tourist area. It was the deadliest civilian attack in Kashmir since 2000.
Government Response:
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, concluded that the attack was linked to cross-border terrorism. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh promised a “loud and clear” response, targeting both attackers and their backers.
Pakistan’s Reaction:
Pakistan has denied involvement. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif suggested it might be a false flag operation, citing India’s history of blaming Pakistan prematurely. Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Khan expressed condolences while rejecting accusations.
Security and International Reactions:
- India launched a massive manhunt in Pahalgam and surrounding forests.
- Modi canceled his Saudi trip, while Home and Finance Ministers rushed back from abroad.
- US President Donald Trump, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and leaders from China, EU, Sri Lanka, and others condemned the attack and expressed support for India.
- A previously unknown group, The Resistance Front, allegedly claimed responsibility.
Fallout and Concerns:
- Calls for a shutdown in Kashmir emerged in protest.
- Tourists rushed to leave the region; extra flights were arranged from Srinagar.
- Observers warned of further escalation, with analysts calling India’s actions serious and potentially violating international law.
Context:
Pahalgam, situated 90 km from Srinagar, is part of the route for the Amarnath Yatra, making it one of the most secured areas. This attack, particularly targeting men, has shaken both locals and visitors.
Diplomatic Backlash:
Former Pakistani officials criticized India’s suspension of the IWT, labeling it inhumane and a violation of international treaties. Several Pakistani politicians labeled the move as a political distraction from domestic issues in India.
India announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan on Wednesday, following a deadly shooting that killed 26 tourists in the occupied region of Kashmir. The incident, which also injured 17 others, occurred in Pahalgam—a popular tourist destination—prompting vows of a “loud and clear” response from the Indian government.
Authorities said gunmen opened fire on a group of visitors, making it the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since 2000. The victims, mostly men from various parts of India and one from Nepal, included a navy officer, according to Indian media.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “We will reach not only the attackers but also those who orchestrated this from behind the scenes.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “heinous act” and said those responsible would face justice.
In response, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, further straining already tense relations. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs the use of shared rivers between the two nations. Pakistan has not been officially blamed by India, but speculation and media commentary quickly pointed fingers without evidence.
Former Pakistani officials, including Senator Sherry Rehman and Khawaja Saad Rafique, condemned the incident while criticizing the Indian media’s speculative coverage. They warned against using the tragedy for political gains or to escalate bilateral tensions.
The attack took place in a meadow near Pahalgam, which also lies along the route of the annual Amarnath Yatra, a major Hindu pilgrimage. Witnesses said the attackers, dressed in uniforms, deliberately targeted men while sparing women. Survivors recounted scenes of panic as tourists fled the area.
A previously unknown group, “The Resistance Front,” reportedly claimed responsibility, though details remain unverified. Following the shooting, Indian forces launched a large-scale manhunt in the surrounding forests, claiming to have killed two fighters in a separate encounter in Uri.
In the wake of the violence, multiple countries including the US, China, Iran, and the EU condemned the attack. US President Donald Trump reportedly expressed full support to Prime Minister Modi in a phone call, while other leaders also extended condolences.
A shutdown was observed across parts of occupied Kashmir to mourn the deaths, and the tourist exodus from Srinagar prompted special evacuation flights.
Despite security claims of a return to “normalcy,” this incident has raised serious concerns about stability in the region, especially as India continues to promote Kashmir as a tourist hub post its 2019 revocation of the region’s limited autonomy.
