Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply after a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, pushing their nuclear-armed neighbors perilously close to conflict. Financial Times +3 AP News ==> US Sun
On April 22, gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists visiting Pahalgam in Anantnag district and killed 26 people – 25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali citizen – including 25 Indians and one Nepali national from an unidentified group named Kashmir Resistance, making this attack the deadliest targeting civilians since 2000 (NPR, Financial Times, AP News and The US Sun all report this attack as having claimed responsibility). NPR +2 >> Whilst Kashmir Resistance claims credit for the deadly strike (according to Wikipedia +2 >>, NPR +2 >>, Wiki +2, NPR +2 | Whilst, Financial Times +2 >>, NPR +2 >>, Whilst on April 23 gunmen attacked an Indian tourist group located at Pahalgam in Anantnag district killing 26 people–25 Indian nationals (inclinclone Nepali citizen). Whilst an attack by previously unknown group Kashmir Resistance was claimed responsible and claimed as claimed by previously unknown group named Kashmir Resistance since 2000 (Wiki +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times+2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times), Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +2, Financial Times +3, +2, whils +2, +2, Financial Times +2, +2, +2, +3, +2, and then The US Sun).
India quickly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, an allegation Islamabad has fiercely denied. In response, New Delhi suspended the Indus Waters Treaty – a key water-sharing agreement dating back to 1960 – and downgraded diplomatic ties by expelling Pakistani diplomats and revoking visas of Pakistan nationals. India also closed Attari-Wagah border crossing and advised its citizens against traveling there (Reuters +4 The Guardian +4 Wikipedia =+4 per page).
Wikipedia Pakistan responded with reciprocal measures, expelling Indian diplomats, suspending trade and visa services, and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. Islamabad suspended the 1972 Shimla Accord that laid out bilateral relations; further, any disruptions to water flows on the Indus River system would be treated as acts of war by Islamabad. For more on these developments see NPR | The Guardian | Wikipedia and many more sources containing more detail than is found here
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a powerful warning, asserting that any Indian aggression could spark an “all-out war,” and calling upon the international community to take this threat seriously, given both nations’ nuclear capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has pledged to track down those responsible and bring those accountable to justice. Security agencies have identified three suspected militants; two may be Pakistani nationals according to reports. The Guardian
Wikipedia
Suspending the Indus Water Treaty has been particularly alarming as it has long been at the heart of India-Pakistan relations. Pakistan relies heavily on Indus River system water for agriculture purposes and any disruption could have severe repercussions – Islamabad has threatened any attempts by India to divert water flow with a strong response. AP News/The Guardian/Al Jazeera have all reported on it and predicted serious results should India divert any flows.
El Pais
This latest crisis mirrors previous crises, such as the 2019 Pulwama attack that resulted in India launching airstrikes retaliatory airstrikes against Pakistan, leading to tensions rising and further underscoring how fragile peace in this region may be and the risk for rapid deterioration into conflict. The Guardian plus Financial Times
As both nations respond with reciprocal actions, the international community watches with growing concern, calling on both to demonstrate restraint and dialogue to avoid further escalation of tensions. The next few days will be key in determining if diplomatic channels can de-escalate the situation or whether violence erupts again across the region.
Escalated Tensions Between India and Pakistan Over Kashmir Attack