April 26, 2025 | Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Terrorists fired on tourists at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Twenty-eight were reported dead, marking one of the worst attacks on the region since the Pulwama bombing of 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday to assess the situation. Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri declared that India would suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and shut down the integrated checkpost at Attari. Pakistani nationals will also no longer be eligible to visit India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme. Misri stated that the attack had obvious cross-border links. He further stated that the CCS strongly protested against the attack, condemned it deeply, and extended deep condolences to the bereaved families. It wished the injured all a speedy recovery.
Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, interacted with ANI and made a firm statement. He averred that Pakistan be legally declared a state sponsor of terrorism and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir be designated a terrorist. Rubin stated that the only difference between Osama Bin Laden and Asim Munir is the location where they reside. He attributed Munir’s recent addresses as inspiring terror and stated that India needs to now take firm action without hesitation.
Rubin also likened the Pahalgam attack to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to him, Pakistan is employing the same strategy, attacking innocent citizens to instil fear. Rubin opined that India should handle Pakistan’s ISI agency the same way that Israel handled Hamas, attacking and disposing of their leadership.
Rubin indicated that the attack timing was not coincidental. According to him, Pakistan might have organised it to divert attention from US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India. He likened it to a previous terrorist attack when President Bill Clinton visited India, indicating that Pakistan has tried this before. Rubin called on the United States not to overlook Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism.
The attack has evoked enormous outrage among the populace across India. The people demand strong and swift action against the government. The cold-blooded killing of civilians has revived demands for cross-border terrorism and Pakistan’s role. India’s recent actions, including suspending the water treaty and closing borders, show a firmer and determined response. Now, the world is watching with interest to see how Pakistan will respond.
