Dozens killed as gunmen massacre tourists in Kashmir
beauty spot
By Esha Mitra, Mukhtar Ahmad, Aishwarya S lyer, Kara
Fox and Jessie
Yeung, CNN
8 minute read
Gunmen attacked
tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, killing 26
people and injuring 17. The attackers were heavily armed and reportedly
targeted people based on religion. One local Muslim man, Syed Adil Hussain
Shah, tried to fight the attackers and was killed.
India blamed Pakistan-backed groups. This led to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, including diplomatic break. The attack happened about 160 km from the Pakistan Line of Control (LoC). Resulted airspace closure, and military alerts.
About the Author(s)
Shakeel Junejo
Shakeel Junejo, a Media and Communication student at NUML Islamabad, is passionate about investigative reporting and global political analysis. He conducts research on international politics and shares insights through social media, aiming to highlight underreported stories and encourage informed public discourse.
INDUS WATER TREATY SUSPENSION BY INDIA
Why was it suspended?
India claimed that Pakistan-backed groups were
responsible for the terrorist attack, so as a strategic and diplomatic move, it
suspended the treaty to pressure Pakistan. This move is considered very
serious, as water is a vital resource, and the treaty had survived even during
wars.
Pakistan’s Response to Indus Waters Treaty Suspension:
• Condemned the move, calling it a violation of
international law.
• Accused India of
using water as a weapon during conflict.
• Appealed to the
United Nations and the World Bank for intervention.
• Suspended the Simla Agreement, a key diplomatic peace
accord.
• Closed its
airspace to Indian flights.
• Halted bilateral trade with India.
• Warned of a
regional water crisis affecting millions in Pakistan.
• Called for global
pressure on India to restore the treaty and avoid escalation.
Operation Sindoor – India’s Military Action
Operation Sindoor – India’s Military Action
Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22,
2025, where 26 civilians were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor in early
May. India claimed this was a targeted mission against terrorist infrastructure
in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK). Indian forces used airstrikes
and precision weapons, and videos released by Indian media showed the
destruction of alleged terror camps.
Pakistan’s Military and Strategic
Response
Pakistan strongly rejected India’s claims,
calling the strikes a violation of sovereignty and accused India of killing
civilians instead of targeting militants. In response, Pakistan launched what
it called “Operation Zarb-e-Adal” and claimed to have shot down two Indian
Rafale fighter jets, although India denied any aircraft loss. Pakistan’s
military reported that it had struck back across the Line of Control, targeting
Indian military posts. They also stated that any future aggression would be met
with a stronger response.
Information War and Media Propaganda
Both countries engaged in a digital and
media war. Pakistan’s media aired videos showing smoke trails and claimed they
were proof of downed Indian aircraft, but no independent sources confirmed
this. Indian media accused Pakistan of spreading fake news, using old or edited
footage. Meanwhile, Pakistan accused India of creating a war narrative to
distract from internal issues.
India’s Counterclaims
India refuted all Pakistani claims, stating
that no Rafale jets were lost, and that their strikes were limited, accurate,
and based on intelligence. Indian officials said Pakistan was using
misinformation to cover up terrorist support. India released satellite images
and videos showing alleged terror training camps destroyed during the
operation.
Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos
Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos – Key Details
Launched on May 10, 2025, with pre-dawn
strikes.
• Targets: Pakistan claimed to have
targeted 26 Indian military installations, including airbases in Punjab,
Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir. Notable targets included Suratgarh, Sirsa,
Naliya, Adampur, Bhatinda, Barnala, Halwara, Awantipur, Srinagar, Jammu,
Udhampur, Mamoon, Ambala, and Pathankot.
• Weaponry Used: The operation reportedly
utilized Fatah-I and Fatah-II ballistic missiles, drones, and precision-guided
munitions. Pakistan also claimed to have targeted BrahMos missile storage
facilities at Beas and Nagrota, and neutralized S-400 air defense.
Ceasefire between Pakistan & India
