Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with the Indian government linking Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir's recent statements to the attack. The attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists, in a meadow near the popular tourist destination in South Kashmir.
The Indian government has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. In response, India has reportedly taken diplomatic measures, including downgrading diplomatic ties, suspending a key water-sharing treaty, and closing the main land border crossing with Pakistan.
Adding to the heightened tensions, Pakistan claimed it had "credible intelligence" that India was preparing for military action after the Pahalgam attack. General Asim Munir has stated that Pakistan would respond with "full military might" if its sovereignty or territorial integrity were threatened. He asserted that Pakistan seeks peace but would retaliate with full force to preserve its national prestige and the well-being of its people if violated.
According to reports, the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack specifically targeted non-Muslims. They allegedly segregated the tourists based on religion before killing those identified as non-Muslims. This detail has fueled concerns about the communal nature of the attack and its potential to exacerbate sectarian tensions in the region.
General Munir's recent statements, particularly those made on April 15, 2025, have come under scrutiny. In a speech, he referred to Kashmir as Pakistan's "jugular vein," a framing first used by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and stated that Pakistan "will not leave its Kashmiri brothers". Some view these statements as provocative and encouraging to the terrorists.
Adding to the controversy, in February 2025, Munir stated that "Cutting the jugular vein off the body means the end of life," and that "Allah's… (Muslim fighters) will always prevail based on faith, piety, and jihad in the way of Allah". These remarks have further fueled concerns about his ideological leanings and their potential impact on Pakistan's policies towards India and Kashmir.
Amid the rising tensions, India has granted its armed forces complete operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of their response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned India against constructing any structures on the Indus River, stating that it would be considered an act of aggression.
