Pahalgam

Pahalgam Attack Shakes Region: India Suspended Sindh Tas Treaty Amid Dark Political Conspiracies

On 22 April 2025, a horrific Pahalgam attack in the scenic Baisaran Valley, near Pahalgam tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in the death of 26 people and left more than 20 others injured. The attack, carried out by militants from TRF, a militant group affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, marked one of the deadliest terror acts in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The victims were mainly non-Muslim male tourists, and the terrorists reportedly targeted them based on their religious identity, aiming to resist what they perceived as demographic changes in the region.

Religious Declaration

The Pahalgam attackers asked victims to recite the Islamic kalima (a declaration of faith) لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله or perform humiliating acts such as exposing themselves to check for circumcision, in an effort to segregate and identify them based on religion. Those identified as non-Muslims were executed on the spot.

Among the victims were tourists from various Indian states, as well as foreign nationals from Nepal and the UAE. A local pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, bravely tried to intervene but was tragically killed. This attack of Pahalgam tourist destination, which sent shockwaves across the country and the world, has been attributed to the TRF

Pahalgam Claimed by TRF

This group that has previously carried out numerous attacks in the region, particularly targeting Hindu minorities and government officials. They claims its actions are in response to what it perceives as the alteration of Kashmir’s demographic composition, particularly following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019. This revocation allowed non-Kashmiris to settle in the region, a move that has been highly controversial.

Indian Response with suspension of Sindh Tas contract

In the wake of the Pahalgam’s attack, India initiated a strong response, leading to the suspension of the Sindh Tas Muhada with Pakistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a significant diplomatic move, announced that the treaty would be halted until Pakistan ceased its support for cross-border terrorism.

This decision marked a critical turning point in the relations between India and Pakistan, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The suspension of the treaty, which governs the distribution of water from the Indus River, could have severe consequences for both countries, especially Pakistan, which relies heavily on the river for its agriculture and water supply.

The suspension of the treaty was one of several retaliatory measures taken by India. The country also closed the main border crossing with Pakistan, imposed a travel ban on Pakistani nationals, and expelled Pakistani military advisors stationed at the Indian High Commission. Furthermore, diplomatic personnel from India were withdrawn from Pakistan.

The attack on Baisaran Valley not only intensified the already fragile security situation in Jammu and Kashmir but also triggered widespread protests and demonstrations across India. Kashmir’s Muslim-majority areas, including Srinagar, Pulwama, and Anantnag, witnessed public outcry.

While the attack was largely condemned by the Indian government, protests erupted in various parts of India, where people demanded justice for the victims and condemned the terrorists’ actions. The Kashmir Valley, historically divided over the insurgency and the region’s political status, saw unprecedented unity among local residents, who stood in solidarity with the victims.

The diplomatic fallout and the military responses following the attack left a significant impact on India-Pakistan relations, with both sides bracing for potential border skirmishes and further conflict. With the suspensions, retaliations, and the tragic loss of lives, the Pahalgam attack represents not only a devastating act of terror but also a catalyst for further escalation in the already volatile region.

This incident highlights the broader issues at play in Jammu and Kashmir, including the region’s demographic shifts, religious tensions, and the ongoing insurgency. It also raises moral and ethical questions about the ideologies that fuel such acts of violence—where individuals are judged and sentenced to death based on their faith or perceived identity.

As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches closely to see whether these escalating tensions will lead to a larger conflict or if diplomatic measures will prevail in de-escalating the crisis

Bottm-line

The consequences of “divide and rule” are borne by the common people, not by rulers like Modi, Shahbaz, Asif, nor by the Indian or Pakistani armies. After the Pahalgam attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan blocked Indian airlines from using its airspace, forcing flights to take longer routes and increasing fuel costs.

Trade disruptions and rising expenses will not touch the leaders — they will be paid by the nation’s economy and by its people. While rulers play their games, it is the ordinary citizens who lose their hard-earned money, stability, and future.