Credited from: BBC
In the wake of a tragic attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead, India has implemented a series of dramatic measures against Pakistan, including the closure of the main border crossing between the two countries. This decision follows the killing of tourists at a popular site in Pahalgam, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region's recent history, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.
In addition to closing the border, India has suspended a longstanding water-sharing treaty, which has been a vital agreement for managing shared water resources since 1960. The Indian government asserts that this was necessary due to Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism, an allegation which Islamabad strongly denies. The measures have escalated diplomatic tensions significantly, with Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office labeling India's actions as an "act of war," as reported by Newsweek.
Amid these developments, India has also cancelled visas held by Pakistani nationals, requiring them to depart within 48 hours. The Indian government further advised its own citizens against travel to Pakistan, intensifying the current climate of mistrust and hostility. As reported by Al Jazeera and BBC, the political fallout from the attack raises fears of renewed tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to have carried out the attack, claimed that the targeted individuals were not typical tourists but rather linked to Indian security forces. This assertion reflects ongoing insecurity and violence in the region, further complicating the situation, as outlined by Newsweek and Al Jazeera.
In response to the attack and to reinforce national security, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the commitment to trace not just the attackers but also those who instigated the violence. "We won’t just reach those people who carried out the attack. We will also reach out to those who planned this from behind the scenes," he stated, highlighting the government's firm stance post-incident. This call to action, noted by BBC and Newsweek, signals a possible escalation in military responses towards Pakistan.