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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a resolute declaration on Thursday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to pursue, track, and penalize terrorists and their supporters following a tragic attack on tourists in Kashmir. Police investigations have revealed that two of the attackers are from Pakistan.
Speaking in Bihar, Modi paid tribute to the 26 individuals who lost their lives in the incident that occurred in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir. He encouraged the audience to join him in prayer for the victims. “We will pursue them to the ends of the earth,” Modi stated, addressing the attackers indirectly without naming them or mentioning Pakistan specifically.
The Prime Minister’s remarks are likely to exacerbate tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom are armed with nuclear capabilities. This escalation follows India’s recent decision to downgrade relations with Pakistan, which included the suspension of a longstanding water treaty and the closure of their sole land border crossing.
Pakistan’s Power Minister Awais Lekhari condemned the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as a “cowardly, illegal move” and an act of water warfare.
Protests Erupt
In light of the attack, police in Indian-administered Kashmir have released notices identifying three individuals suspected of involvement, offering rewards for information leading to their capture. Notably, two of the suspects are reported to be Pakistani nationals, although the method of their identification remains undisclosed.
On the ground, frustrations spilled over outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, where demonstrators gathered to voice their grievances against the attack in Pahalgam.
Both India and Pakistan administer different sections of Kashmir but lay claim to the entire territory. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that a security cabinet committee was informed about the cross-border connections linked to the recent attack, which has been deemed the most severe against civilians in India in almost two decades.
While details were limited, Misri did not provide evidence to substantiate claims of external links related to the incident. Additionally, India is set to withdraw its defense advisers from Pakistan and reduce the staffing of its mission in Islamabad.
In response to the attack and subsequent actions, Modi has called for a meeting with opposition leaders to discuss the government’s strategy moving forward.
Pakistan’s Response
In Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to convene a National Security Committee meeting to deliberate on Pakistan’s course of action regarding the situation, as per Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s announcement on social media.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and established in 1960, governs the allocation of water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. The treaty has endured two wars and various diplomatic crises over the years.
Prior to the recent developments, diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan were already strained, with Pakistan having expelled India’s envoy and failing to appoint an ambassador in New Delhi after India’s abrogation of Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019.
The recent attack is perceived as a significant setback for Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who had been promoting their efforts to stabilize and develop Jammu and Kashmir following the region’s controversial policy changes.
WATCH l Deadliest attack in area in at least 2 decades:
Gunmen kill 26 in Kashmiri tourist town
This incident marks the deadliest assault in nearly two decades, with 26 individuals killed and 17 others injured during the gunfire directed at tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
India has frequently accused Pakistan of aiding an insurgency in Kashmir; however, Pakistan maintains that it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the region’s calls for self-determination. Since the start of the uprising in 1989, tens of thousands have died, although violence has diminished in recent years, contributing to a rise in tourism to the picturesque area.
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