India has attributed a recent violent attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities, to Pakistan. This incident has prompted India to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Pakistan, close a key border crossing, and suspend the Indus Water Treaty, which governs water-sharing between the two nations.
The attack, which occurred in a popular tourist region, marked one of the most severe assaults on civilians in recent years, with 17 additional individuals injured in the gunfire. India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, announced these retaliatory measures during a press conference, asserting that the attack had “cross-border” connections to Pakistan. However, the Indian government has not publicly provided evidence to substantiate these claims.
In response, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad claimed that India is exploiting this “unfortunate incident of terrorism” to invalidate an existing treaty that India allegedly wants to abandon. India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorism in Kashmir, while Pakistan denies these allegations, with many local Kashmiris viewing the militants as part of a legitimate liberation movement.
Misri indicated that the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would remain in effect until Pakistan ceases any support for cross-border terrorism. India also expelled several Pakistani diplomats and reduced its diplomatic staff in Pakistan, bringing the total from 55 to 30.
The Indus Water Treaty, established in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, has historically managed the water resources of rivers crucial for both nations, particularly for Pakistan’s agricultural needs. Despite previous conflicts, including two wars and a major skirmish, the treaty has endured.
Following the attack, Indian security forces initiated a widespread search for the perpetrators, deploying thousands of police and soldiers throughout the region, setting up checkpoints, and conducting aerial surveillance. Many local businesses closed in protest of the violence.
The attack’s victims included primarily Indian tourists, alongside one from Nepal and a local guide, with the deceased numbering 24 tourists in total. Pakistan conveyed its condolences to the victims’ families and expressed concern over the loss of life.
Kashmir has seen increasing violence against Hindus and immigrant workers since India’s decision to revoke the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019, leading to stricter controls over dissent, civil liberties, and media freedoms.