Introduction
The soothing valleys of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir were instantaneously shattered on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, by one of the deadliest terrorist attacks that claimed 26 lives. Reportedly, 26 Indians and 2 foreign tourists have lost their lives due to this attack on that day in Baisaran, also known as the mini Switzerland, for its dense forests with the eye-catching meadows. The shadow group of one of the gruesome terror groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba, named “The Resistance Front”, has taken responsibility for this attack. The attack is not only a source of outrage and grief across India, but it also sharpens the geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan. One of the significant outcomes of this event is the suspension of the crucial water agreement, the Indus Water Treaty, which was signed back on 1960, 19 September.
This article unfolds what happened in Pahalgam along with why it happened, and how the Indus Water Treaty will take effect because of this massacre.
What happened in Pahalgam?
The attack on the innocent tourist
The tourists on April 22, 2025, were traversing the Baisaran valley, near one of the mountainous and popular destinations of Pahalgam in Indian administered Kashmir. The eyewitnesses have depicted that the armed gunmen (militants) suddenly involved with open fire on the unarmed and innocent civilians, which ultimately killed 26 Indian citizens and 2 foreign citizens.
How did the terror attack uncover on Tuesday?
2 to 3 people belonging to a group of Gunmen militants between 2:45 to 3:00 PM appeared from the nearby forests of Baisaran valley. The militants started firing mostly at the tourists. Many of the tourists have quoted that the militants wearing military uniforms came abruptly and killed the tourists by firing whimsically that created fear and panic among the tourists. The absence of vehicles has intensified this fear to a large extent.
The Resistance Front connected to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (a Pakistan-based terror organisation) has orchestrated this life-threatening Pahalgam terror attack.
The reason for this attack came into reality
The strategic disturbance by militants
The Pahalgam terror attack husband designed to achieve various goals:
Undermine the diplomatic talks: The attack came into reality just a few days before a backchannel negotiation scheduled between India and Pakistan to emphasise the stability of the border.
Derail the peace in Kashmir: Pahalgam, an emblem of spectacular tourism, has been targeted by igniting communal tension.
The response of India to this attack
Expelled the Pakistani diplomats
India has expelled two senior diplomats of the Pakistani High Commission after the barbaric incident of terror attack. The New Delhi clearly passed the order to leave India with the diploma within 48 hours of the terror attack that came into light. The Government of India has accused them of conducting inconsistent activities by using their diplomatic status.
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Closed the land borders
The crossing point of the Attari-Wagah border has completely closed now. Approximately 125 Pakistani people have crossed the border as New Delhi has issued a notice of “Leave India” to the Pakistani nationals.
India shut air airspace to Pakistan Airlines
India closes its airspace for Pakistani airlines after Pakistan restricted Indian airlines from flying over its area following the annihilation of 26 Indians in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty
One of the significant and controversial determination of India was the announcement to suspend the Indus water treaty that laid down the several regulation for distributing the water from the Indus river system. The detailed discussion on this treaty has accomplished on the next part of this article.
The complete discussion on the Indus Water Treaty
Background of the Indus Water Treaty
The Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, which was mediated by the World Bank. It gave India the right to India to control the eastern rivers like Ravi, Sutlej and Beas while it permitted Pakistan to administer the western rivers like Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. According to this treaty, India will have the right of unrestricted use of the eastern rivers, where the Western rivers are allocated to Pakistan, with India's empowerment for particular non-consumptive uses like flood protection, fishing and navigation. The division has been structured with the aim of accessing a fair amount of water by both countries for energy, irrigation and domestic use.
Why does this treaty matter?
The Indus water treaty is not only the representation of the water but it reflects the symbol of cooperation, the tool of conflict mitigation that can stabilise the force during the wars and also an economic lifeline, especially for Pakistan, as 80% of the agriculture of this country stands on the Indus basin.
The Consequences of the Dismissal of the Indus Water Treaty
The dismissal of the Indus Water Treaty by India has sparked huge international concern. Pakistan has intimidated by saying that tampering with the river flow will be considered an act of war, and it will escalate this particular tension to the World Bank and the International Court of Justice.
On the other hand, India has claimed that the Indus Water Treaty is misused by Pakistan for shielding the terrorist organisations while taking support from the diplomatic benefits. It also stated that Pakistan will continue to confer covert assistance to the militants that can further bring the terror attack in future. The analysts believe that India is utilising this particular move as a political warning compared than an actionable strategy.
The reaction of Pakistan
Political and economic backlash
The diplomatic barrier has already affected the tourism, trade and cultural exchanges of Pakistan. The cross-border buses, airline and railway systems have already been suspended. This terror attack has brought comparisons to the PulwamaBalakot air strike that resulted in a near full-blown war.
Increased the military alerts
Pakistan has alerted its border forces and ordered reconnaissance patrols, especially in the disputed areas. The fear of Pakistan is mongering into the Indian military strike. Thus, it has requested the intervention from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
The present situation
International urges for restraint
Countries like United Kingdom, United States entrance have urged both India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation. The secretary general of United Nation has published its statement by condemning this terror attack and expresses the deep concerns along with an important breakdown of international agreements like Indus water treaty. Nevertheless, theregion remains with huge tension with the military exercises that has conducting near the LOC.
The possible outcomes
The global pressure might compel both nations to sit at the negotiation table. The United Nations and the World Bank could intervene in this matter to resuscitate the Indus Water Treaty.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam terror ambush marks a painful incident in the history of Indo-Pak relations and the Indian administered Kashmir. Due to the loss of innocent people through this specific terror attack, the Indian government has come up with its bold response of suspending the Indus water treaty, which might have long-term consequences for the security and peace of South Asia. As the world is observing closely, it is significant for both India and Pakistan to act with responsibility and restraint to eradicate this type of mishap in future.