Joseph Solis-Mullen delves into the geopolitical fallout of a recent terror attack in India's restive Jammu and Kashmir region, which New Delhi has pinned on Pakistan.
“On April 22, 2025, militants opened fire near the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir, killing twenty-six people – mostly Indian tourists. It was the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in over two decades. Within hours, New Delhi accused Pakistan of harboring the perpetrators, claiming they were linked to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba operating under the umbrella of a shadowy group called the 'Kashmir Resistance.' Pakistan swiftly denied any involvement. But denials did little to stop the spiraling fallout.”
(UPDATE: On Tuesday, India launched retaliatory airstrikes on Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Islamabad claimed dozens of civilians were killed as a result and shelled Indian territory in response. The violent flare-up mirrors border skirmishes over Kashmir in 2019, after another terrorist attack which India blamed on its neighbor and responded to with air raids. –Will Porter)