Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a deadly attack in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir. Gunmen opened fire on tourists in the Pahalgam valley on Tuesday, killing 26 people, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national.
Indian authorities have blamed The Resistance Front (TRF), a relatively new militant group active in the region, for the attack. India classifies TRF as a terrorist organization and links it to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, which was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. TRF claimed responsibility for the massacre but offered no evidence. Pakistan has denied involvement.
In response, India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, closed a key border crossing, suspended trade, and paused participation in the Indus Water Treaty—a long-standing water-sharing agreement. Pakistan responded by expelling Indian diplomats and threatening to consider any interruption of its water supply as an act of war.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and vowed to track down those responsible. Increased military presence has been reported in Kashmir as authorities continue their search for the attackers. Protests and demonstrations have taken place across India and Kashmir.
The incident has raised concerns over potential military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with analysts warning that the risk of further conflict is significant.
