In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Baisaran, near Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, mostly civilians, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed Islamabad’s willingness to cooperate with a neutral, transparent, and credible investigation. The tragic incident, which has shaken the region and triggered strong diplomatic responses, is now the center of international attention.
During a ceremony held at a military academy in Abbottabad, PM Sharif stated, “Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.” However, he also emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces are “fully capable and prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, referring to the country’s “measured yet resolute” response during India’s Balakot airstrike in February 2019.
Sharif’s comments were echoed by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who told the New York Times that Islamabad is ready to cooperate with international inspectors. He claimed that India’s reaction—including strict retaliatory measures—was politically motivated and taken “without any proof and investigation.”
The attack, which took place in Baisaran near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam, has resulted in widespread condemnation and a firm response from India. In retaliation, India has taken a number of decisive steps, including:
- Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan
- Closing the integrated check point at the Attari border
- Ordering Pakistani nationals who entered via the Attari land border to leave India by May 1
- Reducing the strength of Pakistan’s High Commission in India
India has squarely blamed Pakistan for harboring and supporting the perpetrators of the attack, an accusation that Islamabad denies.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Bihar, issued a powerful and emotional warning to those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre. He declared:
“Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world. India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
PM Modi also vowed that the terrorists and those who conspired to plan the attack would face punishment “bigger than they can imagine.” The tone of his speech reflected India’s deep grief and rising anger over the bloodshed in Pahalgam.
Defence Minister Asif warned that escalation between the two countries could result in “disaster for the region”, and claimed India was using the attack to “punish Pakistan for domestic political purposes.”
With tensions mounting, both nations stand at a critical crossroads. While Pakistan signals readiness for international scrutiny, India gears up for an unrelenting campaign to bring justice to the victims of this heinous attack.
The situation remains tense, and the world watches closely as diplomacy, counter-terrorism, and regional stability collide in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy.
