The aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, continues to reverberate through the political landscape of India and Pakistan, with recent developments suggesting a heightened sense of fear within Pakistan's leadership. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, triggered a military confrontation between the two nations in May 2025, and has led to a series of accusations and counter-accusations.
Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting missile strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan. India asserted that the operation targeted only terror-related facilities and not Pakistani military or civilian areas. However, Pakistan claimed that the strikes resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian areas, including mosques. This led to retaliatory measures from Pakistan, including mortar shelling in Jammu, which India claims caused civilian casualties and damaged homes and religious sites.
In the wake of these events, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the successful investigation into the Pahalgam attack served as a "strong and befitting reply" to Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism. Shah also suggested that the investigation would put Pakistan "in the dock".
Adding to the tensions, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari recently disclosed that he was advised by the military to take shelter in a bunker during the May 2025 conflict with India. Zardari claimed to have rejected this advice, stating that leaders should not hide in bunkers and that Pakistan had given a "befitting reply" to India. He further responded to a warning from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting Pakistan's readiness for battle and sacrifice. Zardari also claimed that India now understands Pakistan's capabilities and warned that Pakistan is prepared to confront any challenge if war is imposed again. He added that while India may see itself as a major power, it lacks the courage and spirit of Pakistan's leadership and armed forces.
Adding another layer to the complex situation, United Nations (UN) experts have voiced concerns regarding India's "unlawful use of force" within Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. According to a report made public on December 15, 2025, these experts believe India's military response appears to have "violated the rights to life and security of person". The UN experts also questioned India's evidence linking the Pahalgam attackers to the Pakistani government. They stated that India's actions may have violated the UN Charter and potentially constituted an armed attack on Pakistan.
Despite the ongoing tensions and accusations, both India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, following communication between their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO). The ceasefire has held, with commercial flights resuming and normalcy returning to both countries. However, the underlying issues and accusations related to the Pahalgam attack continue to fuel mistrust and animosity between the two nations.
