India announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan following an attack in Pahalgam, in the Indian-administered Kashmir region, which left 26 dead and at least 17 injured.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, was one of the deadliest against civilians in the region in recent years. Most of the victims were Indian Hindu tourists, although a Nepali citizen and a local Muslim guide also died.
The scene was described by witnesses as chaotic and bloody, with families fleeing in panic. Some witnesses claimed that the strikers seemed to have targeted non-Muslims, although others reported indiscriminate shooting.
In response, the Indian government indirectly blamed Pakistan, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism, although Islamabad has denied any involvement and expressed condolences for the victims. The National Security Council of Pakistan will meet on Thursday to assess the situation.
El ataque terrorista en Kashmir dejó 26 muertos y varios heridos
The measures adopted by India include the closure of the main border crossing between the two countries, the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, vital for the water supply of both nations, and the expulsion of several Pakistani diplomats from New Delhi.
Additionally, some visas of Pakistani citizens were revoked, who must leave the country within two days. Indian diplomats were also withdrawn from Pakistan.
The attack was attributed by Indian security agencies to an armed group called "Kashmir Resistance", which claimed responsibility on social media. According to the group, the attack was a protest against the settlement of more than 85,000 "outsiders" in the region, whom they linked to Indian security agencies.
Ambas naciones expulsaron diplomáticos
These claims have not been independently verified. Indian police classified the incident as a terrorist act and have intensified the search for those responsible, deploying tens of thousands of soldiers and police, conducting raids, vehicle inspections, and mobilizing helicopters.
Indian Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, assured that India's response will not only target the material perpetrators of the attack but also those who planned it from the shadows.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, stated that the attack had "cross-border links" with Pakistan, although he did not present public evidence.
The international community has condemned the attack, while in the region, there have been business closures and protests in mourning. The tension between India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers with a long history of conflicts over Kashmir, is once again dangerously escalating with this new episode.
El ministro de Defensa indio indicó que se apuntará contra los autores materiales e intelectuales del ataque
Since the revocation of Kashmir's special autonomy in 2019 by the Indian government, the atmosphere in the region has become more tense, with restrictions on press freedom and repression of dissent. Although attacks on civilians are frequent, this is the first time in recent years that tourists are the direct target.
India has promised that those responsible will be brought to justice and that it will not cease in its fight against terrorism.
However, the diplomatic reprisals and the suspension of key bilateral agreements like the Indus Treaty could further aggravate the already fragile relationship between the two nations, raising the risk of a new escalation in a long-standing conflict.
El gobierno de India aseguró que los responsables serán llevados a la justicia
