Pak India News: Tensions Rise After Kashmir Attack
The diplomatic restrictions on Pakistan, including cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals and stopping water supply under the Indus Waters Treaty, have further strained the relations between the two countries. The US President has encouraged India and Pakistan to "figure out" the dispute, as the situation continues to unfold.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the Indian armed forces complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of their response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The attack, which occurred on April 22, 2023, has led to a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, with each blaming the other for provocation. The Indian armed forces have been given complete operational freedom to respond to the attack, with PM Modi affirming that "it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism". A high-level meeting was convened to address the heightened tensions and security concerns in the region, attended by key paramilitary force heads and senior officials.
The conflict has its roots in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries claim the territory in full, and freedom fighters in the Indian-occupied area have waged an insurgency since 1989, seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for restraint and dialogue, expressing "deep concern at rising tensions" between the two countries.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also urged the UN chief to counsel India to "act responsibly and exercise restraint", while several nations, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, have called for restraint and dialogue. The situation remains volatile, with the Indian army saying its troops have responded to the provocation, but there were no reports of casualties.