The deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where gunmen killed at least 26 people, has sent shockwaves through India and escalated tensions with Pakistan. The assault targeted a group of domestic tourists in a scenic meadow, an area previously considered relatively safe, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks in recent years in the region. Indian authorities and political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have condemned the attack, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. The attack’s scale and brutality have drawn international condemnation from leaders such as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In response to the attack, India has taken a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, which it holds indirectly responsible. These include the closure of the main border crossing, suspension of a historic water-sharing treaty, expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, and revocation of certain Pakistani visas. India’s government has accused Pakistan-backed militant groups of orchestrating the assault, citing a claim of responsibility by a group called Kashmir Resistance, which India views as a front for Pakistani military-backed militants. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called on India to provide evidence of its claims.

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified operations following the attack, with joint combing operations by the Indian Army, CRPF, and police expanding across the region. Additional checkpoints and frisking operations have been set up in key tourist areas, and emergency help desks have been established to assist visitors. The attack has also triggered protests and heightened fears of further violence in the volatile region, which has been the site of an insurgency since 1989 and remains heavily militarized with around 500,000 Indian troops deployed.

Experts warn that the attack risks a dangerous military escalation between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed rivals with a long history of conflict over Kashmir. Indian officials have promised a "strong response," and analysts suggest options ranging from covert operations to cross-border firing or airstrikes similar to those in 2019. However, such retaliation carries the risk of a wider crisis or conflict. Pakistan has convened its National Security Committee to discuss possible responses, emphasizing caution but warning it will respond to any Indian incursions. The situation remains volatile and unpredictable, with both sides bracing for potential escalation.