A militant attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians has triggered a major diplomatic fallout between India and Pakistan after India announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and shutting down the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
The attack, which took place near the tourist destination of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of them Indian tourists, and left at least 17 others injured. India has accused Pakistan of being linked to the attack, which was claimed by the militant group “Kashmir Resistance,” believed to be a proxy for Pakistan-based terror organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan has denied any involvement and has offered condolences for the victims.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 to regulate water-sharing between the two nations, would be suspended until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. The move is expected to severely impact Pakistan, which relies on the river system for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.
Additionally, India has closed the Attari-Wagah border, the only open land crossing between the two countries, and canceled visas for Pakistani nationals, giving those already in India 48 hours to leave. Diplomatic relations have also been downgraded, with India expelling Pakistani defense advisers and reducing its diplomatic presence in Pakistan.
