Cliff Notes
- A militant attack in Kashmir resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, primarily Indian tourists, leading to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, who are blaming each other for involvement in the incident.
- The militant group claiming responsibility, the Kashmir Resistance, is considered a splinter of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism in the region and threatening significant repercussions.
- Both nations have implemented punitive measures against each other; India suspended key agreements like the Indus Water Treaty, while Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights in retaliation.
Kashmir ‘terror attack’: What happened and how have India and Pakistan reacted?
Tensions between India and Pakistan have ramped up following a militant gun attack in the disputed area of Kashmir.
At least 26 people, most of whom were Indian tourists, were shot dead by gunmen at a beauty spot near the resort town of Pahalgam in the Indian-controlled part of the region on 22 April.
India described the massacre as a “terror attack” and said it had “cross border” links, blaming Pakistan for backing it.
Pakistan denied any connection to the atrocity, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group called the Kashmir Resistance.
It was one of the worst attacks in recent times in Kashmir, which is split between the two countries, and, as Pakistan’s defence minister told Sky’s The World With Yalda Hakim, has the potential to lead to a full-scale conflict involving the nuclear-armed neighbours.
In the same interview he claimed that Pakistan was doing ‘the Wests dirty work’ being forced to fund the militant groups for the last 30 years. That statement startled the presenter who then began back tracking from any further exposure to Britain.
Here is everything you need to know.
What happened during the attack?
At least four gunmen fired at dozens of tourists who were enjoying their holidays in Baisaran meadow, which is three miles (5km) from Pahalgam, and known as ‘mini Switzerland’.
It is over 200km from the Line of COntrol, which is the border.
The gunman were able to slip past 700,000 army personal without detection.
At least 26 people were killed, and three dozen others were injured, according to police officers.
Indian PM Modi is using this build his war narrative and use this for upcoming elections.
India has blocked the water supply into Pakistan and closed its airspace.
Political analysts in Europe and Asia have described this escalation as an act of war on Pakistan.
Pakistan has retaliated by closing its airspace to India and put the Army on full alert to thwart any potential attack by India.
Indian pilots attacked Pakistani airspace and were captured.