A deadly terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22, 2025, has ignited a fierce diplomatic and strategic standoff between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. The attack, which killed 26 tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, prompted India to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, close its border with Pakistan, and downgrade diplomatic ties. Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian airlines, suspending trade, and expelling Indian diplomats. As both nations exchange accusations of terrorism and violations of international agreements, the suspension of the critical water treaty raises fears of an "act of war," threatening millions reliant on the Indus River system.
Deadly Kashmir Attack Sparks Retaliation
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, armed militants attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing 26 people, including 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. According to survivors, the attackers separated men from women and children, executed the men at close range after confirming their Hindu identities, and fled the scene. Indian authorities, led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, alleged "cross-border linkages" to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of supporting the attack. A relatively unknown group, The Resistance Front, claimed responsibility, citing "demographic changes" in Kashmir as their motive, referencing India’s 2019 revocation of the region’s autonomy. Newsweek reported India’s swift response, including ordering all Pakistani nationals to leave within 48 hours.
Business Today: 80% of Pakistan’s cultivated land—about 16 million hectares—relies on water from the Indus system.
India’s Diplomatic Offensive
Following a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India announced sweeping measures against Pakistan. The government suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which governs the sharing of six rivers vital to both nations, potentially affecting 80% of Pakistan’s cultivated land. India also closed the Attari-Wagah border, canceled visas for Pakistani nationals, and downgraded diplomatic ties, expelling Pakistani military advisers. Modi vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth,” as reported by Business Today. These actions mark a significant escalation, with NPR noting the treaty’s suspension could exacerbate Pakistan’s water scarcity.
[](https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/g-s1-62285/india-kashmir-attack-indus-water-treaty-pakistan)Pakistan’s Countermeasures and Denials
Pakistan rejected India’s accusations, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif attributing the attack to “homegrown rebels” and criticizing India’s Hindu nationalist policies. Islamabad retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian airlines, suspending all trade, and reducing India’s diplomatic presence in Pakistan. Pakistan’s National Security Committee warned that suspending the Indus Water Treaty would be an “act of war,” as cited by Shanker IAS Parliament. The committee also threatened to cancel the 1972 Shimla Accord, a cornerstone of bilateral peace. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users supporting India’s actions and others condemning them as provocative. Reuters reported Pakistan’s measures as a direct response to India’s “unilateral” actions.
[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-calls-all-party-meet-summons-top-pakistani-diplomat-after-kashmir-attack-2025-04-24/)[](https://x.com/seemasirohi/status/1915069004307202349)🚨 THEY. WERE. MASSACRED. BECAUSE. THEY. WERE. HINDUS.
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) April 23, 2025
Do not let the media or political elites sanitize what just happened in Pahalgam, Kashmir. This was not a "tourist attack."
It was a religious cleansing—a ritualistic slaughter committed by Islamic terrorists who asked the… pic.twitter.com/LFZlNAcNY8
Historical Context and Future Risks
The Kashmir region, claimed by both India and Pakistan since 1947, has been a flashpoint for three wars and numerous skirmishes. India’s 2019 decision to revoke Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status intensified tensions, reducing violence initially but alienating local communities, according to The Guardian. The recent attack, the deadliest since 2000, has reignited fears of conflict, with both nations engaging in tit-for-tat measures. Pakistan’s reliance on the Indus River system makes the treaty’s suspension a critical issue, potentially affecting millions. As military operations continue to locate the attackers, the international community, including the World Bank, faces pressure to mediate.
[](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/24/india-pakistan-summons-kashmir-attack) |
Kashmir, India, Pakistan, Indus Water Treaty, terrorism, diplomatic ties, border closure, airspace
Sources: Business Today, Newsweek, Shanker IAS Parliament