In a significant development, Pakistan announced that it would provide a comprehensive response to India's recent actions on Thursday. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad accused India of exploiting “an unfortunate incident of terrorism” as a pretext to abandon a longstanding treaty it has sought to evade. India, on the other hand, labels the militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism, a claim that Pakistan vehemently denies. Many Muslim Kashmiris view the militants as part of a legitimate home-grown freedom struggle.
Indian official Misri stated that the Indus Water Treaty would be suspended “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” This treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is vital for water sharing between the two countries, especially for Pakistan’s agriculture. Misri further revealed that several Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi were asked to leave, while Indian diplomats were recalled from Pakistan, resulting in a reduction of diplomatic personnel from 55 to 30.
Additionally, Misri announced the closure of the main land border crossing between the two nations. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that the country would respond to the Indian government's decisions following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.
In the wake of a deadly attack that left several tourists dead, Indian forces launched an extensive manhunt for the assailants. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of police and soldiers were deployed throughout the region, establishing additional checkpoints and conducting searches in cars and forested areas. As part of their strategy, authorities even summoned former militants to police stations for questioning. This incident has led to widespread closures of shops and businesses across Kashmir in protest.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to track down not just the attackers but also those who conspired to carry out this “nefarious act.” A newly emerged militant group, known as Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility for the attack on social media, asserting that the targeted individuals were not “ordinary tourists” but were linked to Indian security agencies. These claims remain unverified by independent sources.
The attack has had a profound impact on tourism in Kashmir, which has experienced a surge in violence against Hindus, particularly immigrant workers from other Indian states, since New Delhi revoked the region's semi-autonomy in 2019. Despite the Indian government’s efforts to promote tourism, the recent violence has led to an exodus of visitors from the region. Tourists began to leave Kashmir almost immediately after the attack, expressing concerns over their safety.
Monojit Debnath, a tourist from Kolkata, voiced his concerns, stating, “Kashmir was beautiful, but my family does not feel secure anymore.” Omar Abdullah, the region’s top elected official, expressed his heartbreak over the “exodus of our guests from the valley” following the tragic events. On Wednesday, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah attended a ceremony honoring the slain tourists in Srinagar, promising to take severe action against those responsible for the attack.
Kashmir remains a highly contentious territory, administered by both India and Pakistan, yet claimed in its entirety by both. Since 1989, militants in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir have been engaged in conflict against New Delhi’s rule, with many Muslim Kashmiris supporting the rebels' aspirations for unification under either Pakistani governance or independence. Human rights organizations have criticized India for its heavy-handed tactics to maintain control, which include giving armed forces extensive powers to arrest and execute suspects without due process.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir continue to threaten regional stability, particularly in light of recent violent incidents. The future of the Indus Water Treaty and the broader geopolitical relationship between these nuclear-armed neighbors hangs in the balance as both nations grapple with the implications of escalating violence and diplomatic strife.
