कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
On April 22, 2025, a horrific terrorist attack in the serene Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, shattered the lives of 28 tourists and injured over 20 others. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted male non-Muslim tourists, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the region since 2019. In response, India has launched a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, accusing it of supporting cross-border terrorism. These actions, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border post, and expelling Pakistani diplomats, have escalated tensions between the two nations. This article explores the attack, India’s response, the historical context, and the potential implications, weaving in personal stories and global perspectives to provide a comprehensive view.
The Pahalgam Tragedy: A Day of Horror
Pahalgam, often called ‘mini Switzerland’ for its lush meadows and tranquil beauty, became a scene of chaos on April 22, 2025, when terrorists opened fire on tourists in Baisaran Valley at around 3 PM. The attack killed 26 people, including Corporal Tage Hailyang, a 30-year-old Indian Air Force officer from Arunachal Pradesh, who was vacationing with his wife, and two foreign nationals. Over 20 others were injured, some critically.
Among the heart-wrenching stories is that of a daughter who recounted how terrorists cursed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded her father recite an Islamic verse before shooting him. The victims hailed from diverse regions, including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Odisha, reflecting the attack’s broad impact. Corporal Hailyang, recently married in December 2024, was days away from a transfer to Dibrugarh, Assam, making his loss particularly poignant.
The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed the attack aimed to resist demographic changes in Kashmir, a reference to India’s 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which allowed non-residents to buy land and settle in the region. The attack drew widespread condemnation, with hotel owners and shopkeepers in Pahalgam holding candlelight vigils to protest the violence.
India’s Decisive Response: A Diplomatic Offensive
Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a trip to Saudi Arabia to chair a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on April 23, 2025, attended by key figures like Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The CCS, citing “cross-border linkages” to the attack, announced five major measures against Pakistan, as outlined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri:
- Expulsion of Diplomats: India declared Pakistani Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi persona non grata, giving them one week to leave. India also withdrew its own military advisors from Islamabad, annulling these posts and recalling five support staff from both high commissions.
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: The 1960 treaty, which allocates water from the Indus River system, was put on hold until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends support for terrorism.
- Closure of Attari Border Post: The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, a vital trade and travel route, was closed immediately, with returnees allowed until May 1, 2025.
- Visa Restrictions: Pakistani nationals were barred from entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with existing visas canceled and a 48-hour exit mandate for those in India.
- Downgrading Diplomatic Ties: India signaled a broader reduction in diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, further straining relations.
These measures reflect India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, as emphasized by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who called the attack “grotesque” and vowed repercussions.
The Indus Waters Treaty: A Historic Agreement at Risk
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, is a cornerstone of India-Pakistan cooperation. Brokered by the World Bank, it allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan, with India allowed limited non-consumptive uses like irrigation and hydropower. The treaty, which has survived four wars and decades of tension, provides Pakistan with 80% of the Indus system’s water, critical for its agriculture and power generation.
Attari Border Closure: Economic and Social Impacts
The Integrated Check Post at Attari, inaugurated in 2012, is India’s first land port and the primary route for trade with Pakistan, handling around 500 trucks daily. Located 28 km from Amritsar, it facilitates exports like vegetables and yarn, with trade valued at Rs 3,886 crore. The closure halts this economic lifeline, affecting traders and families who rely on cross-border movement. For instance, the Samjhauta Express, a train connecting Attari to Wagah, Pakistan, is also impacted.
Diplomatic Expulsions: A Symbolic Rebuke
Declaring diplomats persona non grata, a term from the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, means they are no longer welcome in the host country. India’s expulsion of Pakistani military advisors and withdrawal of its own from Islamabad is a significant downgrade in military diplomatic ties. Pakistan’s top diplomat in Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, was summoned to receive the formal notice, underscoring the gravity of the move.
This action echoes past incidents, like the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, after which India recalled its high commissioner from Islamabad. The current expulsions, however, are targeted at military advisors, reflecting India’s focus on Pakistan’s alleged military support for terrorism.
Historical Context: The Kashmir Conflict
The Pahalgam attack is part of a long-standing conflict over Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed territory since the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. The region has seen multiple wars (1947, 1965, 1999) and ongoing insurgencies, with Pakistan accused of supporting militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for attacks like the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, which granted Kashmir special status, intensified tensions, with Pakistan condemning the move as altering the region’s demographic balance.
Previous civilian attacks in Kashmir, such as the 2000 Amarnath pilgrimage attack, highlight the region’s vulnerability. The Pahalgam attack’s timing, coinciding with US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India, led some analysts to suggest Pakistan aimed to divert global attention, a claim Pakistan denies.
Pakistan’s Perspective and Global Reactions
Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack, condemning it as a “senseless act” and calling for a joint investigation. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is reportedly chairing a security meeting to formulate a response, which may include appeals to the World Bank or the International Court of Justice. Pakistan’s foreign ministry has expressed concern over the treaty suspension, citing its impact on millions of farmers.
Globally, the US, Russia, China, and the EU condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India. The World Bank, while not issuing a formal statement, is likely to monitor the treaty suspension closely, given its role in brokering the agreement. The UN has called for restraint, emphasizing dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Potential Implications and Future Outlook
India’s actions are a bold assertion of its anti-terrorism stance but carry risks. The treaty suspension could strain Pakistan’s water resources, potentially leading to humanitarian concerns, while the Attari closure disrupts trade worth billions. Diplomatically, the expulsions and visa restrictions may isolate Pakistan further, but they also reduce channels for dialogue.
On the ground, Kashmir remains tense, with security forces conducting manhunts for the attackers. Local communities, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have paused protests to show solidarity with the victims. Flight fares to Srinagar have dropped due to cancellations, reflecting tourism’s immediate hit.
Looking ahead, mediation by the World Bank or other international actors could ease tensions, but much depends on Pakistan’s response. Prime Minister Modi’s vow to punish those responsible “beyond their imagination” signals a firm resolve, but the path to de-escalation remains uncertain.
A Human Touch: Stories of Loss and Resilience
The Pahalgam attack left behind stories of loss that resonate across India. Corporal Hailyang’s family in Tajang village, Arunachal Pradesh, mourned a son who served with honor, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu attending his funeral. In Odisha, the remains of Prashant Satpathy were brought home to Balasore, where neighbors gathered to console his family.
Yet, amidst the grief, there are glimmers of resilience. An Assam family narrowly escaped the attack, with the state government arranging their safe return. In Pahalgam, local traders held candlelight vigils, vowing to rebuild their community’s spirit.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam terror attack has thrust India-Pakistan relations into a new phase of tension, with India’s diplomatic measures signaling a robust response to terrorism. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and expulsion of diplomats are significant steps with far-reaching implications. As both nations navigate this crisis, the international community watches closely, hoping for dialogue to prevail over conflict. The stories of loss and resilience from Pahalgam remind us of the human cost of such tragedies and the urgent need for peace.
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