Pakistan is waiting for India’s next move after a shocking militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people and sparked the worst crisis between the two nuclear-armed nations in half a decade. Islamabad has accused India of “linkages” to the attack, while New Delhi has blamed Pakistan without identifying the group behind it.
The situation is tense, with both countries exchanging fire along the disputed Kashmir border overnight. However, Pakistani officials say they cannot afford a distraction at this time, as their economy is recovering from years of surging inflation and government debt. The US has condemned the attack and urged de-escalation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to Indian and Pakistani leaders separately.
Pakistan has called for a third-party investigation into the Kashmir attack, which could be a sign that it is seeking de-escalation. However, in India, there are loud calls for decisive action against Pakistan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging to track down the perpetrators “to the ends of the earth.” The situation remains volatile, with full-scale wars between Pakistan and India having the potential to escalate quickly.
Analysts warn that India may be tempted to go further than it has before, perceiving Pakistan as weak after years of turmoil. However, Pakistani experts say their country is not as weak as some Indian analysts make it out to be, citing recent modernization of the air force and navy. The region remains nervously holding its breath, with people worried about a possible return to conflict.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/30/pakistan-india-kashmir-pahalgam-conflict