India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate After Pahalgam Attack: Unraveling the Kashmir Conflict

A deep dive into the recent violence, historical roots, and ongoing struggle over Kashmir

Written with a commitment to truthfulness and originality, updated May 7, 2025

The India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir has intensified following a deadly terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 civilians, mostly tourists. India’s accusations of Pakistan’s involvement have led to diplomatic expulsions, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and retaliatory military actions, including Operation Sindoor, marking the worst escalation since 2019. Rooted in the 1947 partition, the Kashmir dispute has fueled wars and nuclear tensions. This updated article explores the crisis, its historical context, and broader implications, drawing on verified sources and public sentiment from X for a balanced perspective.

“The jugular vein of Pakistan is Kashmir, and we will never abandon our Kashmiri brothers.”

— General Asim Munir, Pakistan Army Chief, BBC News

General Asim Munir’s statement, reported by BBC News on April 23, 2025, highlights Pakistan’s firm stance on Kashmir, fueling India’s concerns about cross-border militancy.

The Pahalgam Attack and Immediate Fallout

On April 22, 2025, five armed militants attacked tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, killing 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists. The attack, one of the deadliest in Kashmir since 2000, was initially claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), which India links to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, though TRF later retracted its claim (Wikipedia). India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified three attackers—Adil Hussain Thoker and Pakistani nationals Ali Bhai (also known as Ali Talha) and Hashim Musa—as Lashkar-e-Taiba members, offering a ₹6,000,000 (US$80,000) bounty (The Hindu, Hindustan Times).

India’s response included:

Diplomatic Actions: On April 23, 2025, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, closed the Attari border, and briefed allies like the U.S., UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Russia on its “zero tolerance” policy (The Hindu, Times of India).
Military Measures: India reported ceasefire violations along the LOC and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting nine locations in Pakistan (Times of India, Business Standard).

Pakistan denied involvement, expelled Indian diplomats, closed airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, 2025, and cited “credible intelligence” of an Indian strike, escalating tensions (Al Jazeera, Wikipedia).

Historical Roots of the Kashmir Conflict

The Kashmir dispute began with the 1947 partition of British India, creating India and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority state under Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, acceded to India after a Pakistani tribal invasion, sparking the first Indo-Pakistani war (1947-1948). A UN ceasefire established the LOC, dividing Kashmir, but a promised plebiscite never occurred (Britannica). Subsequent conflicts include the 1965 war, 1971 war (focused on Bangladesh), and 1999 Kargil conflict, driven by territorial claims, water resources, and ideological differences (Council on Foreign Relations, TIME).

“India has a right to defend itself and take necessary measures to prevent future attacks.”

— U.S. State Department, The Hindu

The U.S. statement, reported on May 1, 2025, reflects support for India’s actions while avoiding direct accusations against Pakistan.

Controversies and Public Sentiment

The attack has fueled controversies:

India’s Narrative: It challenges India’s claim of “normalcy” in Kashmir post-2019 Article 370 revocation (Al Jazeera).
Pakistan’s Denial: Pakistan rejects involvement, with Munir’s remarks intensifying India’s state-sponsored terrorism accusations (BBC News).
Nuclear Risks: Both nations’ nuclear capabilities raise escalation fears (NPR).

On X, @IndiaFirst_24 posted, “Pahalgam attack proves Pakistan’s terror agenda. Time for decisive action!” while @PeaceForKashmir wrote, “India’s policies in Kashmir fuel unrest. Dialogue, not war!”

International Reactions

The U.S., South Korea, and UN Security Council condemned the attack. The U.S. supported India’s self-defense, and the UN called for de-escalation, reflecting concerns over nuclear risks (The Hindu, ProKerala). South Korea’s condemnation emphasized civilian safety (India’s World).

Balanced Perspective

India’s actions aim to deter terrorism but risk escalation. Pakistan’s denials reflect its strategic stance, yet nuclear risks demand restraint. Dialogue addressing Kashmir’s status remains elusive amid mutual distrust (New York Times).

Conclusion

The Pahalgam attack has reignited the Kashmir dispute, with diplomatic ruptures and military actions like Operation Sindoor highlighting the region’s volatility. A sustainable resolution requires addressing Kashmir’s underlying issues, a challenge unresolved for over seven decades.