Kashmir Attack: India and Pakistan Escalate Diplomatic Tensions
In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, India and Pakistan have exchanged a series of measures in response to a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed eight people, including tourists from different states in India. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, has been attributed to the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), according to police in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The three suspects named by the police are members of LeT, although none of the men have commented on the allegations. The police have offered a reward of 2m rupees ($23,000; £17,600) for anyone offering information about any of the attackers. According to sources, about 1,500 people across Kashmir have been detained for questioning in connection with the attack.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers and we will pursue them to the ends of the Earth." He added that the "terrorists behind the killings, along with their backers, will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine". Modi also stated that "our enemies have dared to attack the country’s soul… India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism."
The Indian government has since announced a raft of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including shutting the Attari-Wagah border between the two countries immediately and cancelling visa services to Pakistani nationals "with immediate effect". The measures were announced on Wednesday evening, after Delhi accused Pakistan of not taking sufficient action to crack down on militant groups operating on its soil.
Pakistan has responded by rejecting India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a six-decade-old water sharing treaty between the neighbours. The treaty is a vital agreement that ensures the sharing of water resources between the two countries. Pakistan’s National Security Committee rubbished attempts to link the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan, saying there had been no credible investigation or verifiable evidence.
In a strongly worded statement, the committee said that any attempt to stop or divert the water "will be considered as an Act of War". Pakistan has also closed its airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines and suspended all trade with India. The country has also reduced the number of diplomats in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to 30 and asked Indian defence, naval and air advisers to leave Pakistan before 30 April.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage across India, with an all-party meeting in Jammu and Kashmir expressing deep shock and anguish at what it called a "barbaric attack". The victims of the attack included an Indian naval officer on honeymoon, a tourist guide who was the sole breadwinner for his family, and a businessman holidaying with his wife and children.
As the situation continues to unfold, schools, businesses, and shops are reopening after a shutdown across the region following the shootings. The region remains on high alert, with security forces on the lookout for any further militant activity. The BBC has been told that the investigation into the attack is ongoing, with police working to gather more information about the suspects and their links to LeT.
The escalation of diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan has raised concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region. The two countries have a long history of tensions, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir. According to the BBC’s sources, the Indian government is working to strengthen its security measures in the region, while also pushing for international action against Pakistan-based militant groups.
The international community has condemned the attack, with many countries calling for restraint and caution. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Kashmir attack has sparked a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, with far-reaching consequences for the region. This is according to reporting by the BBC, which has been providing continuous coverage of the story.
