India's Response to Pakistan Following the Pahalgam Terror Attack

 On April 22, 2025, a devastating militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists. The attack, one of the deadliest in the region in decades, shattered the narrative of normalcy in Kashmir and reignited tensions between India and Pakistan. India swiftly pointed to Pakistan's alleged involvement, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism. This blog explores the actions India took in response to the Pahalgam attack and their implications for India-Pakistan relations.

Immediate Diplomatic and Economic Measures

In the wake of the attack, India implemented a series of punitive measures to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically:

  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a rare diplomatic success story that had survived decades of conflict. This move, seen as a significant escalation, raised concerns in Pakistan, which relies heavily on the treaty's water-sharing provisions. Pakistan warned that any attempt to stop or divert water would be considered an "act of war."

  • Closure of the Wagah-Attari Border: India closed this key border crossing, disrupting cross-border movement and trade. This was part of a broader effort to sever ties with Pakistan.

  • Downgrading Diplomatic Ties: India expelled Pakistani military, naval, and air advisers from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, declared Pakistani diplomats persona non grata, and reduced its diplomatic presence in Pakistan. Pakistan reciprocated, leading to a near-complete breakdown in diplomatic relations.

  • Visa Restrictions and Airspace Bans: India revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, forcing hundreds to leave via the Attari-Wagah border. Both countries also banned each other's airlines from using their airspace, further isolating bilateral interactions.

  • Suspension of Trade and Cultural Ties: India halted trade, shipping, and cultural exchanges, including banning Pakistani media channels and content on Indian platforms.

These measures were designed to signal India's resolve and punish Pakistan for its alleged role in the attack, which India linked to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Resistance Front.



Military Response: Operation Sindoor

On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision missile strikes targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian Defense Ministry described the strikes as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," emphasizing that they avoided Pakistani military facilities and aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure, such as training camps in Muzaffarabad and Kotli.

  • Details of the Strikes: The operation targeted sites3770ed sites, including one in Bahawalpur, 100 km inside Pakistan. India claimed the strikes successfully destroyed terrorist launchpads linked to groups responsible for attacks like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Uri attack, and the Pahalgam massacre.

  • Casualties and Reactions: Pakistan reported 31 deaths and 57 injuries, claiming the strikes hit civilian areas, a claim India denied. India reported 15 civilian deaths and 43 injuries from Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft and a drone, though India did not confirm these claims.

  • International Response: India briefed G20 nations and UN Security Council members (excluding Pakistan and China) on the strikes, presenting evidence of Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism. The U.S. urged de-escalation but expressed support for India's right to defend itself.

Operation Sindoor was hailed domestically as a decisive response, with political leaders across India praising the armed forces. However, it also escalated tensions, with Pakistan authorizing its military to respond and both sides exchanging fire along the LoC.


Domestic and International Implications

The Pahalgam attack exposed vulnerabilities in India's security apparatus in Kashmir, undermining the Modi government's claim of restoring normalcy since the 2019 revocation of Article 370. The attack, occurring during peak tourist season, led to widespread anger and calls for retaliation.

  • Domestic Support: Indian leaders, including opposition figures like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, rallied behind the government, demanding strong action. Public sentiment, as seen in protests and marches, strongly supported Operation Sindoor.

  • Kashmir's Plight: The attack and subsequent crackdown, including the demolition of suspected militants' homes and the detention of over 1,500 Kashmiris, deepened local alienation. Kashmiri students faced harassment elsewhere in India, highlighting the region's ongoing unrest.

  • Global Diplomacy: The U.S., U.K., and UN urged both nations to de-escalate, with the U.S. signaling support for India but emphasizing restraint. Pakistan offered to cooperate with a neutral investigation, a proposal India rejected, citing past failures like the 2008 Mumbai attacks probe.

The Road Ahead

The Pahalgam attack and India's response have pushed India-Pakistan relations to a new low. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the threat of further military action, such as Pakistan's potential withdrawal from the Simla Agreement, raise the specter of broader conflict.

Analysts warn that both nations, as nuclear powers, face immense risks of miscalculation. Past crises, like the 2019 Pulwama attack, saw calibrated strikes followed by de-escalation, but the current situation is volatile, with Pakistan denying involvement and alleging the attack was a "false flag" operation.

India's actions reflect a shift from diplomatic restraint to a more assertive stance, driven by domestic pressure and a need to restore deterrence. However, the lack of effective non-military options and Pakistan's persistent denial of state-sponsored terrorism complicate the path to peace.