Key Points
- Pahalgam Attack: 26 killed, including 25 tourists, in Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, 2025-the deadliest attack since 2008.
- India’s Response: PM Modi grants Indian armed forces full operational freedom to retaliate; major military exercises underway.
- Pakistan’s Warning: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claims “credible intelligence” of an imminent Indian military strike within 24–36 hours.
- Escalating Tensions: Ceasefire violations, border skirmishes, and suspension of key treaties heighten risk of broader conflict.
- Global Concern: Pakistan calls for international intervention, offers independent probe, and warns of “decisive response.”
Islamabad: Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a critical point following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people-mostly tourists from across India and one Nepalese national. The attack, carried out by five militants armed with assault rifles, has been described as the deadliest on civilians in the region since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Survivors reported that the attackers singled out victims based on religion, adding to the horror and outrage across the country.
India’s Swift and Decisive Response
In the immediate aftermath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened high-level security meetings with top defense officials, including the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Modi granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the timing, targets, and mode of India’s response. He reaffirmed India’s resolve to deliver a “crushing blow to terrorism” and bring the perpetrators and their backers-explicitly referencing Pakistan-to justice.
The Indian military has since ramped up readiness across all branches. The Navy conducted successful anti-ship missile tests in the Arabian Sea, showcasing its long-range precision strike capabilities and sending a clear message of deterrence. The Air Force has maintained heightened operational alertness, with combat air patrols and air defense systems fully activated along the western front. Meanwhile, the Army has responded robustly to repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC), engaging in targeted retaliatory fire.
Pakistan’s Midnight Warning and International Appeal
Amid these developments, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar held an unusual press conference at 1 a.m., claiming that Islamabad had “credible intelligence” of an imminent Indian military operation within the next 24 to 36 hours. Tarar accused India of using the Pahalgam attack as a “false pretext” for aggression and warned that any Indian strike would be met with a “decisive response.” He placed responsibility for any escalation squarely on India, urging the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation and calling for a neutral, independent investigation into the attack.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister also stated that the country was on high alert and would only consider the use of nuclear weapons if there was a direct existential threat.
Diplomatic and Military Fallout
Diplomatic ties have sharply deteriorated. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed the Attari-Wagah border, while Pakistan has responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace to Indian flights[13]. Both sides have engaged in repeated border skirmishes, with the Indian Army reporting multiple instances of unprovoked firing from Pakistani positions in recent days.
Investigation and Aftermath
Indian authorities, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are probing the Pahalgam attack, with evidence reportedly pointing to cross-border linkages and support from Pakistan-based militant groups. The Resistance Front, initially claiming responsibility, later retracted, while Indian officials maintain that Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were involved.
Outlook
As both nations remain on high alert, the risk of further escalation persists. India’s armed forces stand ready, with operational freedom to act, while Pakistan has vowed to defend its sovereignty at all costs. The international community is watching closely, with calls for restraint and independent investigation growing louder.
The Pahalgam terror attack has triggered a dangerous new phase in India-Pakistan relations, with both sides ramping up military postures and diplomatic offensives. With warnings of imminent military action and repeated border clashes, the region stands at the brink of a potential wider conflict.
