New Delhi: Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a deadly terrorist attack in the Indian-administered Kashmir region that killed 26 civilians on 22 April.

The massacre, which occurred in the scenic town of Pahalgam, has sparked a wave of domestic anger, regional instability, and heightened military alertness on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

According to Indian officials, gunmen opened fire on a group of Indian tourists, reportedly after asking some of them about their religion.

Among the dead were mostly Hindus, a local Kashmiri Muslim horseman, and one Nepali national. Survivors described the attack as sudden and brutal, carried out in a popular tourist area with minimal security presence at the time.

The Indian government has accused Pakistan-based militants of orchestrating the attack, claiming the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a proscribed terror organisation. Indian police say they have identified two Pakistani nationals and one Indian suspect allegedly linked to the group. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue the attackers "to the ends of the Earth".

However, no group has officially claimed responsibility, and Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement. Islamabad dismissed the allegations as “frivolous” and called for a “neutral, transparent and credible” international investigation. It also warned that any move by India to restrict Indus River waters would be considered an “act of war”.

Measures and counter-measures

India has responded with a series of diplomatic and security measures:

  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty

  • Closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing

  • Downgrading of diplomatic ties

  • Expulsion of Pakistani nationals from India (except diplomats)

  • Over 2,000 detentions and demolitions of homes belonging to suspects

  • Banning of Pakistani YouTube channels accused of spreading provocative content

Pakistan retaliated by:

  • Expelling Indian diplomats

  • Cancelling visas for Indian citizens, except Sikh pilgrims

  • Closing its airspace to Indian carriers

  • Announcing military reinforcements along the LoC

There have been nightly skirmishes along the LoC for the past five days. Many analysts warn that the situation risks spiralling into a larger military confrontation, evoking comparisons with the aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Domestic criticism mounts over security failure

While the Indian government has focused its narrative on cross-border terrorism and the role of Pakistan-based groups, critics within India have questioned how such a large-scale attack could occur in a heavily militarised and surveillance-heavy zone like Pahalgam.

Opposition leaders and civil society groups have criticised the Modi-led central government for what they describe as a serious security lapse. They argue that the intelligence failure raises uncomfortable questions about internal preparedness and the prioritisation of optics over safety in conflict-prone areas.

“The fact that gunmen could strike a busy tourist hub and escape undetected shows that something went terribly wrong within our own security setup,” a senior opposition leader told reporters. Others have called for an independent inquiry into the breach and the accountability of local and central security officials.

Human rights advocates have also raised concerns over the mass detentions and demolition of homes, warning against what they describe as "collective punishment" and urging authorities to respect due process.

As both India and Pakistan trade accusations and punitive measures, the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack has once again brought Kashmir to the brink of geopolitical crisis. With trust between the neighbours at a historic low, international observers are calling for urgent diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation and to address the broader questions around security, civil rights, and long-term stability in the region.