Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified following a militant attack on April 22, 2025, in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed near Pahalgam. This marked the deadliest attack in the region in over 20 years. India has attributed the attack to The Resistance Front (TRF), which it claims is linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organization. Pakistan has denied any involvement, with its Defense Minister Khawaja Asif rejecting the allegations and requesting evidence.
Diplomatic Measures
In response, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, closed the Wagah border, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and reduced diplomatic staff in Pakistan from 55 to 30. Pakistan reciprocated by closing its airspace to Indian flights, halting trade, reducing Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad, and requiring Indian citizens (except Sikh pilgrims) to leave within 48 hours. Both nations have significantly scaled back diplomatic engagement.
Indus Waters Treaty
India announced the suspension of its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus River system. India’s Water Resources Minister C.R. Paatil indicated plans to restrict water flow to Pakistan. Pakistan described this as an “act of war,” noting the Indus’s critical role in supporting 90% of its agriculture. Analysts suggest India’s ability to fully divert water is limited by infrastructure but warn of potential downstream impacts.
Military Activity
On April 24, Indian and Pakistani forces exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, with each side blaming the other for initiating the clash. No casualties were reported. Indian security forces have increased operations in Kashmir, with General Upendra Dwivedi overseeing regional security. In Bandipora, a separate encounter left two people injured. India also demolished homes of suspected militants, a practice that has drawn criticism.
Statements and Local Reactions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to pursue those responsible for the attack, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence but criticized India’s measures as “unilateral.” In Kashmir, local residents condemned the attack, with protests and shutdowns reflecting solidarity with the victims, though many expressed concerns about being caught in escalating tensions.
Background and Outlook
The India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir dates back to the 1947 partition, with the region claimed by both nations. The two countries, both nuclear-armed, have fought three wars and faced multiple crises, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Balakot standoff. The current situation, with strained diplomatic ties and limited international mediation, raises concerns about further escalation. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved, but no significant global intervention has been reported. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further diplomatic, economic, or military developments.