Pahalgam Terror Attack Escalates India-Pakistan Tensions: India Warns Pakistan, UNSC Diplomacy, Calls for Restraint

By A Staff Reporter

The deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives, has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with both military and diplomatic moves intensifying in the aftermath of the attack.

India's Stern Warning to Pakistan Over Ceasefire Violations
In a significant development, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from India and Pakistan held a critical hotline conversation on April 29 to address the rising ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border. India issued a strong warning to Pakistan, condemning the unprovoked violations and making it clear that Indian forces would continue to respond firmly and proportionately. The violations have intensified following the Pahalgam attack, affecting several sectors, including Naushera, Sunderbani, Akhnoor, Baramulla, and Kupwara.

India's Diplomatic Outreach to the UNSC
On the diplomatic front, India has reached out to the seven non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), seeking international support and condemnation of cross-border terrorism. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been actively engaging with foreign counterparts, including a conversation with the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, to highlight India's position and stress the necessity for collective action against terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Calls for Restraint from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait
Amid escalating tensions, regional powers Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid further actions that could destabilize the region. These Gulf nations have emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path forward, reflecting growing concerns over the potential for a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Escalation of Diplomatic and Military Measures
Following the attack, India has implemented punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari Integrated Check Post, suspending visas, and reducing diplomatic staff. In response, Pakistan has taken reciprocal actions, including closing border crossings and imposing airspace restrictions, further straining bilateral relations and raising the likelihood of military confrontation.

Pakistan’s Allegations and Military Alert
Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and accused India of fabricating the claims to justify military action. In a dramatic move, Islamabad announced that credible intelligence suggested India might launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, placing the Pakistani military on high alert. The Pakistan Air Force has restricted flying operations to essential missions to avoid confusion in airspace, signaling the heightened tensions.