Introduction
On April 22, 2025, an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), resulted in significant casualties and further accentuated long-standing tensions between Pakistan and India. India’s allegations against Pakistan of having backed the attackers were levelled without holding any worthwhile investigations and sharing even a shred of evidence. Yet, it acted forcefully and announced a slew of measures including expelling diplomatic personnel and further downgrading bilateral engagement. The Pahalgam incident thus marked the most dangerous escalation in Pakistan-India relations since the Pulwama-Balakot crisis of 2019.[1]In its immediate response, Pakistan rejected India’s allegations and responded swiftly and in full measure to India’s unwarranted actions. India did not respond positively to Pakistan’s proposal for a neutral and transparent investigation.
