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2025 India–Pakistan standoff

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2025 India–Pakistan standoff
Part of Indo-Pakistani conflicts and the Kashmir conflict

Map of the disputed region of Kashmir
Date23 April 2025 – ongoing
(1 week)
Location
International Boundary and Line of Control
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 India  Pakistan
Non-state allies:
Commanders and leaders

Narendra Modi
Amit Shah
Rajnath Singh

Ajit Doval		 Khawaja Asif
Units involved

 Indian Armed Forces

Central Armed Police Forces

 Pakistan Armed Forces

Casualties and losses
  • 1 BSF soldier captured[13][14][15]
    		•  None

    On 23 April 2025, a standoff emerged between India and Pakistan,[6] which was sparked by the 2025 Pahalgam attack, a terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 25 Hindu tourists, one Christian tourist and one local Muslim and injured over 20 others. The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility for the attack.[16][17] Armed skirmishes between India and Pakistan were reported along the Line of Control (LoC) beginning on 24 April, raising fears of a potential escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

    The standoffs were followed by a diplomatic crisis which emerged between the two countries, as India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attack. India initiated the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats and withdrawal of own diplomats, suspended visas, closed borders, and withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty,[4] while Pakistan denied the allegations and responded with trade restrictions, closure of airspace and border crossings and suspension of the Shimla Agreement.[6]

    India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also strongly urged Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Pakistan, and called on those currently in the country to return at the earliest opportunity.[18]

    Background

    Main article: 2025 Pahalgam attack

    An Islamist armed insurgency broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in the late 1980s, which resulted in the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the region and the insurgency has been ongoing since.[19]

    On 22 April 2025, a terrorist[20][21][22] attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 26 tourists and injured more than 20 others.[23][24] According to eyewitness testimonies provided to Indian media outlets, assailants reportedly questioned potential victims about their religious identity before opening fire, specifically targeting non-Muslims.[25]

    The attack became among the deadliest attacks against Indian civilians in the region since 2000. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based, UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba,[17][26][16] initially claimed responsibility. They stated that the attack was in opposition to Indian government policy allowing Indian citizens to live and work in Kashmir, that resulted in non-local settlement in the region.[27][26] Four days later, they retracted their claim.[28]

    Diplomatic crisis

    On the night of 23 April, the Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri held a special press briefing after a meeting with the CCS. He announced India's decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.[29] He further announced the closure of the integrated check post at Attari–Wagah Border, a travel ban for all Pakistani nationals to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and cancellation of all previously issued visas. Additionally, Pakistani military advisers at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were expelled, while their Indian counterparts in Islamabad were withdrawn, and the staff strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was reduced from 55 to a minimum of 30. The posts of such military advisors were deemed abolished.[30][31]

    Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims,[32] and its defense minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and regarded such events as revolutions.[33][34] However, in an interview with Sky News, while responding to allegations of terrorism, minister Asif said that Pakistan had backed terrorist activities at the direction of United States, Britain and the West going back three decades.[35][36]

    Pakistan responded to the suspension of the treaty by describing it as inappropriate and lacking seriousness.[37] Pakistan also warned India of a comprehensive retaliation in response to the actions announced by the Indian government in the aftermath of the incident,[38] further stating that any action affecting water resources would be considered an act of war.[39][40] On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelled Indian diplomats and instructed Indian military advisers to depart the country no later than the 30 April.[41] However, the Kartarpur Corridor remained open for Sikh pilgrims.[42] Pakistan also cut off all trade with India.[43] Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement, on 24 April 2025 in retaliation.[44][45] The Attari–Wagah border ceremony was also reduced and the symbolic handshake did not take place.[46][47] Cross-border families were affected where their visas revoked.[48][49][50][51][52]

    Ground escalation

    After the attack, a joint cordon and search operation was initiated by the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A temporary lockdown was imposed in Pahalgam, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed to track down the militants, who reportedly fled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range.[53][54]

    Counterinsurgency operations were also carried out in the territory. On 24 April, an Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers wounded during a gunfight with insurgents in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur. In the same encounter Senior LeT Commander Altaf Lalli was killed by Security forces.[55][56] On 26 April, security personnel destroyed the houses of suspected terrorists in the districts of Pulwama and Kulgam through controlled detonations. Both individuals were allegedly connected to the Pahalgam attack according to Indian authorities.[57]

    Both Pakistani and Indian air forces conducted intensive flights near the LoC.[58] An Indian Border Security Force soldier belonging to the 182nd battalion of the BSF was captured by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally entered Pakistani held territory at the Ferozepur border.[14][59][60]

    Between 24 April and 1 May, Indian and Pakistani army engaged in skirmishes and exchanged small arms firing.[61][62][63] Reportedly, Pakistan's army initiated "unprovoked small arms firing" across various sectors along the LoC. According to Indian Army statements, their forces responded "appropriately with small arms fire".[64][65][66][63] The Pakistan Army stated it shot down two Indian military quadcopter drones along the LoC in the Satwal sector and in the Manawar sector of Bhimber district.[67][68][69][70]

    On 28 April, Pakistani Defense Minister Asif stated that an attack from the Indian armed forces was "imminent".[71] On 30 April, Pakistan claimed it has "credible intelligence" that India is going launch military action within several hours.[72] On the night of 29 April, Pakistani forces opened fire on the international border along Kashmir.[73][74] On 1 May, Indian Home minister Amit Shah said that the no terrorist involved in attack will be spared by India.[75]

    Release of river water

    After the suspension of the Indus Waters treaty 1960 on 23 April, local reports surfaced from Pakistan's Muzaffarabad on 26 and 27 April, stating that India had released water from the Uri Dam into the Jhelum River without notification causing flooding, high water levels and panic.[76][77] Reports also claimed that the Chenab River experienced a significant drop in water levels in Sialkot, Pakistan with satellite imagery showing significant drying of the riverbed.[78]

    Reactions

    Further information: Reactions to the 2025 Pahalgam attack

    The United Nations urged both sides to have "maximum restraint" and to resolve the issues diplomatically.[79]

    On April 25, the Islamic Republic of Iran proposed to mediate a solution aiming at de-escalation between Pakistan and India.[80]

    Russia issued a travel advisory in April 2025, warning its citizens against traveling to Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory cited increased security risks in the region. The United Kingdom also issued a similar warning around the same time, mainly referring to the LoC.[81] China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, urged for de-escalation between the two countries.[82] Bangldesh and UAE supported peace talks.[83][84][85]

    The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory, issuing a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for India's Jammu and Kashmir, citing high risks of terrorism and civil unrest.[86] Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, reaffirming its support for India's counterterrorism efforts.[87][88] Later on, on April 26, 2025, President Donald Trump downplayed the diplomatic crisis, stating that the two nations "had that fight for 1,500 years", despite the fact that the Kashmir Crisis started in 1947.[89]

    Protests took place outside the High Commission of Pakistan, London by the members of Indian diaspora.[90][91]

    See also

    References

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