India has shut its main border with Pakistan and revoked a visa exemption program for Pakistani citizens after a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir.
The attack in the popular tourist town of Pahalgam killed 26 people, sparking widespread outrage.
India’s government has also expelled a senior Pakistani military official from the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi and is preparing to expel more diplomats.
The decision to shut the border and revoke the visa program is seen as a major escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Tensions Rise After Deadly Attack
The attack occurred in a remote area of Kashmir, where tourists were camping.
Witnesses described the attackers as wearing masks and carrying assault rifles.
The Resistance Front, a militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, citing anger over the influx of outsiders into the region.
The group said more than 85,000 people had settled in the area, changing the demographic makeup of the region.
Indian authorities have vowed to track down those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India would not only hunt down the perpetrators but also those behind the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia, promised that those responsible would face justice.
International Condemnation
The attack has been widely condemned by leaders around the world, including the United States, Russia, Iran, France, and the United Arab Emirates.
Many countries have expressed concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Irfan Nooruddin, a professor at Georgetown University, said India’s response was a clear indication that it blamed Pakistan for the attack, even though there is no concrete evidence.
The tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high for years, with both countries claiming the disputed region of Kashmir.
The latest attack has brought the two countries to the brink of further conflict.
- India has shut its main border with Pakistan.
- A visa exemption program for Pakistani citizens has been revoked.
- A senior Pakistani military official has been expelled from the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi.
- The Resistance Front, a militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.