Terrorists killed 26 tourists, wounding a dozen others in a brutal attack in India’s disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. It is the deadliest attack on civilians in Kashmir in years. The Indian government officials suggested a possible involvement of Pakistan. However, Islamabad has denied its involvement. But in retaliatory measures, India called Pakistani diplomats and closed all the land borders with Pakistan. The brutal assault has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
According to witnesses, the massacre took place in the scenic Baisaran Valley near Pahlgam in the India administrated Kashmir. The destination is popular among tourists due to its mountainous Anantnag district. But the recent attack has made it a place of horror for both tourists and the local Kashmiris.
According to Eyewitnesses, gunmen opened fire at close range in a remote meadow, which is only accessible on foot or horseback. Most of the victims were travelers from India, including a Nepali national. As the survivors described, the peaceful travel spot succumbed to chaos and bloodshed as the attackers targeted families enjoying the picturesque landscape.
India Indicates “Cross-Border” Involvement
In response to this horrific attack, the Indian officials indicate cross-border involvement. The Indian Foreign Secretary Bikram Misri suggested possible Pakistani links to the attack. New Delhi called a meeting late Wednesday, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they linked the attack to Pakistan. However, they have presented no evidence to support this allegation. At the cabinet meeting, they have also taken a few diplomatic moves against Pakistan.
The Pakistan government has completely denied any involvement in this attack. It’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad responds to alleging India used a terrorist attack to sabotage a treaty it has long been trying to evade. They have been referring to none other than the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan’s foreign minister has also threatened New Delhi, saying they will have a full response against India’s action after the high-level meeting.
The massacre is the deadliest attack on civilians in Kashmir in recent years. It raises fears of renewed violence in the region, which is already under the Pakistani and Indian insurgency and oppression. The Indian authority has already launched an investigation, keeping the security force on high alert.
India’s Retaliatory Diplomatic Measures
After the attack on Wednesday, India announced a series of punitive actions, including closing the main border crossing between India and Pakistan and suspending the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. The Indian government has also expelled Pakistani diplomats, including their military advisors. This retaliatory measure might take further recourse in the coming days.
The Indian government has also ordered some Pakistani visa holders to leave India within 48 hours. However, as suspects of the attack, the Kashmir police have issued a wanted notice for three persons, including two Pakistani passport holders. The government has also offered a reward for anyone sharing information regarding the suspects.
Fears of Escalating Conflict
The India-Pakistan conflict has been in constant tension for decades, and once again, the attack has reignited the long-simmering tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Kashmir itself is the reason for the major conflict between these two neighbors. As India imposed several retaliatory diplomatic measures, its Defense Minister threatened Pakistan with retaliation on other fronts.
On the other hand, based on this action, the Indian far-right extremist groups have also threatened the Muslim communities around the nation, including the Kashmiri Muslims living in other parts of India. According to a CAN report, about 20 Kashmiri students had to flee Dehradun after the extremist Hindu Nationalist group Hindu Raksha Dal issued a warning for leaving the town. The Muslim community in India has already been under extreme oppression since the BJP took office. However, it is not just Hindus, there were several Muslims as well among the 26 dead and injured.
International leaders from around the world have condemned the massacre. But no matter what, the locals are in extreme fear that this fallout will further destabilize the region.
