India and Pakistan: Rising Tensions After Pahalgam Terror Attack

India and Pakistan are facing heightened tensions following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, has prompted a strong response from India, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss military options.

Meeting Amidst Heightened Tensions

On Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Modi on ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir and on the Western front. The meeting, which lasted for about 40 minutes, is believed to have focused on key decisions regarding India’s response to Pakistan.

India has firmly blamed Pakistan for the attack, which was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating under the guise of The Resistance Front (TRF). However, the group later retracted its claim, possibly an attempt to avoid a direct response from India, similar to the one faced by Jaish-e-Mohammed after the 2019 Pulwama attack.

India’s Stance and Response

Prime Minister Modi, in a rare public address in English, vowed to pursue terrorists and their supporters “to the ends of the Earth.” He declared India’s commitment to identifying, tracking, and punishing all those involved in the attack.

In a significant move, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a move that Pakistan has denounced as an “act of war.” While this action doesn’t immediately affect the water supply to Pakistan, it allows India to control the flow of water from the Indus river system, potentially impacting agriculture, hydropower generation, and other crucial sectors in Pakistan, especially during peak demand periods.

Looking Ahead

India’s long-term plan is to increase its water retention infrastructure, aiming to minimize the flow of water into Pakistan. Union water minister CR Patil has stated that the government intends to prevent “even a drop of water” from reaching Pakistan in the future.