Sources indicate that the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, was orchestrated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Lashkar-e-Taiba, with approval from the highest levels of Pakistan's political and military leadership.
The attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, has caused tensions between India and Pakistan to rise significantly. Following the attack, there have been almost daily incidents of gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
After the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with envoys from Gulf allies in an effort to ease tensions with India. Sharif briefed the ambassadors on Pakistan's stance regarding the April 22 attack in Kashmir. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has warned India against constructing any structure on the Indus River that violates the Indus Waters Treaty, threatening to strike any such structure.
Commentary in Indian media and among political leaders has leaned towards launching a military strike on Pakistan, drawing parallels with the 2019 Balakot strikes. In February 2019, following an attack in Pulwama, India launched air strikes in Balakot, northern Pakistan, targeting what it called "militant hideouts".
Pakistan has denied India's claims of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, calling them "baseless" and asking for concrete evidence. Some Pakistanis have even accused India of orchestrating the Pahalgam incident themselves.
Tensions remain high, with Pakistan on edge and reinforcing its forces, expecting incursions by Indian security forces. Pakistan has stated its readiness to face any retaliation and give a befitting reply. The Pakistan Army's DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefed top political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack and ongoing border tensions with India.