Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed on April 22 one of the most brutal terror attacks in the past two decades. Twenty-six, including one foreign national, were killed by terrorists, who initial probe suggests were linked to Pakistan-backed terror groups.The assailants, identified as members of The Resistance Force, an offshoot of terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran meadows, a popular spot in Pahalgam.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday identified three attackers as Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai and Adil Hussain Thokar. Of them the first two were identified as Pakistani nationals. The police released their sketches and announced cash rewards for information about them.More from India
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Why terrorists picked Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley as a targetThe attack has been described as one of the deadliest terror strikes on civilians in the region in years. It highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, exacerbated by cross-border terrorism supported from Pakistan.This attack, along with the strategic infrastructure investments Pakistan and China have made in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), brings into sharp focus the risks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key initiative under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).India’s legal and strategic standing in PoKIndia has long maintained its sovereignty over the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, including PoK, which it considers illegally occupied by Pakistan. This stance has been reaffirmed by India’s Parliament and its constitutional framework. The legal basis for India’s territorial sovereignty is comes from the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which also provided for the creation of Pakistan by partitioning the country by the British colonial government.PoK is the territory that Pakistan captured through invasion in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which legally merged with India through an Instrument of Accession. The accession has been held legal by the United Nations. This makes any infrastructure or foreign investment in the region without Indian consent a violation of its territorial integrity.The Pahalgam terror attack comes in the long chain of cross-border terrorism coming from Pakistan. It has created a tense security environment along India’s borders with Pakistan, particularly in the Kashmir region.In this context, India’s strategic options in PoK are conditioned by the illegal occupations of the territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the two Indian territories, and also the threat posed by the continued presence of terrorist groups. For India, it is not just about retaliation for such attacks but also about asserting its sovereignty over regions that are central to Pakistan’s economic and geopolitical ambitions, such as those critical to CPEC.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADActions India has taken in response to the Pahalgam attackIn the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken
several significant actions aimed at both addressing the immediate security threat and signalling its determination to safeguard its territorial integrity.Putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance: One of India’s most significant responses to the attack was putting it in abeyance, a technical term used by the government to differentiate it from suspension. Practically, India’s decision is suspension of the Indus treaty.The treaty, which governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system between the two countries, has been a cornerstone of their diplomatic relations. The suspension sends a clear message to Pakistan about the potential consequences of continued militancy emanating from its territory, particularly in PoK.Closure of key border crossings: India has closed a number of key border crossings with Pakistan, including several that were used for trade and humanitarian exchanges. This step was taken to prevent the movement of militants and to cut off logistical routes that could be used by insurgent groups to infiltrate Indian territory.Diplomatic pressure on Pakistan: India has used its diplomatic channels to escalate pressure on Pakistan, urging international bodies to hold Islamabad accountable for its support of cross-border terrorism. This includes seeking support from the United Nations and the global community to classify terrorist organisations based in Pakistan as globally sanctioned entities.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADSuspension of visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals: In a further escalation, India has announced the suspension of a visa exemption scheme for Pakistani nationals, a move that will have a significant impact on cross-border people-to-people exchanges. This measure is part of India’s broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and undermine its regional influence.India expels Pakistani military personnel: India has ordered the expulsion of all Pakistani military, naval and air advisers stationed at the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi. These individuals have been designated as persona non grata and are required to leave within a week. In a reciprocal action, India will also remove its own military advisors from the Indian high commission in Islamabad. This measure is part of a larger strategy to de-escalate diplomatic relations between the two nations.Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India took swift diplomatic action by
summoning Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich. During this meeting, India issued a formal persona non grata notice, expelling several Pakistani military attaches from the country in response to the attack. The expulsion marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic fallout between the two nations, signalling India’s firm stance against Pakistan’s continued involvement in cross-border terrorism.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIndia slashes diplomatic presence in Pakistan: As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce diplomatic engagement, India has announced plans to cut down the staff at its High Commission in Islamabad. By May 1, 2025, the number of Indian personnel in Pakistan will decrease from 55 to 30. This decision aims to further minimise direct diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.CPEC’s role and vulnerability in PoKThe CPEC is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region, valued at over $60 billion. The CPEC connects western China to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, passing through PoK, including Gilgit-Baltistan. The corridor consists of a variety of projects including highways, energy projects and trade hubs, all vital to Pakistan’s economic future and China’s ambitions for regional connectivity.However, this infrastructure passes through a region which is under Pakistan’s illegal occupation and where it has allowed the growth of terror outfits and patronised them through the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This also shows that Pakistan does not have an intention of developing PoK economically but use it as a launchpad for terror activities directed at India. And this is where its problem with CPEC lies.The presence of militant groups that operate freely in PoK poses a threat to the CPEC, something that has kept China worried for long. In recent years, attacks on CPEC projects in Balochistan and elsewhere have demonstrated the vulnerability of these critical infrastructure projects. The region’s security instability, compounded by ongoing militancy, raises concerns about the safety of CPEC investments, especially those passing through PoK.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADWith Pakistan attempting to reiterate its relevance in fomenting terrorism in Kashmir through the Pahalgam terror attack, as initial probe suggests, India can put pressure on the strategic stakes surrounding CPEC.India’s security establishment could justifiably view CPEC infrastructure in the region as legitimate military targets within its own territory. Targeting these assets would align with India’s strategic objective of countering Pakistan’s persistent use of cross-border terrorism, with the Pahalgam massacre being the most recent and egregious example. Any successful military strike on CPEC infrastructure could severely impair Pakistan’s economic trajectory and undermine its deepening partnership with China.Economic consequences of disruptions to CPECCPEC is central to Pakistan’s economic strategy with the potential to transform its infrastructure and energy sectors. The corridor promises to connect Pakistan to major global markets, improve energy generation and boost economic growth. However, the security challenges in PoK expose the vulnerability of CPEC investments.Disrupting the CPEC projects in PoK would have serious economic consequences for Pakistan. The country is already grappling with a staggering external debt of over $130 billion, with significant portions owed to Chinese creditors. These debts are tied directly to CPEC-related infrastructure projects.Any disruption to the construction and operation of these projects would delay returns on investments, put Pakistan at risk of defaulting on loans and undermine investor confidence. This could lead to a decline in foreign direct investment, further economic instability and potentially worsen the country’s ongoing fiscal crisis.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADMoreover, the Pakistani government’s reliance on CPEC to stabilise its economy would be called into question if these projects become targets for strategic strikes by India. Economic losses, combined with the inability to deliver on key infrastructure promises, could further destabilise the Pakistani economy.Military and strategic risks to PakistanIf India decides to target CPEC assets in PoK, it would expose significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s defence posture. The Pakistan military, already stretched thin in various regions, would have to respond to a direct threat to its economic lifeline. Any military response could lead to a broader escalation, potentially drawing India and Pakistan into direct conflict. However, if Pakistan fails to adequately protect these assets, it would face both domestic and international criticism, further eroding the legitimacy of its government.While China has thus far been silent on the issue of cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, continued instability could force China to reconsider its investment strategy and demand more robust counter-terrorism measures from Pakistan. This could strain the bilateral relationship between the two countries, particularly if Chinese assets are perceived to be under threat.Diplomatic dimensionsThe Pahalgam attack has garnered international attention with several countries expressing solidarity with India and condemning the violence. Nations like Singapore and the US have reiterated their support for India’s efforts to combat terrorism. This shift in international sentiment places additional diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, especially as it seeks to maintain its relationship with China and manage the security risks that threaten CPEC.China, as the primary investor in CPEC, has a vested interest in the stability of the region. However, continued instability linked to Pakistani-supported terrorism could force China to re-evaluate its strategic priorities in the region. If Pakistan fails to address the root causes of terrorism emanating from PoK, China may be compelled to call for stronger measures to secure its investments.A case for China to rein in PakistanAs long as PoK remains a hub for cross-border terrorism, India can use military tactics to raise the cost of large-scale infrastructure projects like CPEC further, increasing their vulnerability. India has reiterated multiple times that the only dispute in Kashmir is the return of PoK. China, incidentally, is also an illegal force occupying the land both in Aksai Chin and Shaksgam Valley.India’s tactical military pressure may force China to use its leverage over Pakistan to rein in terror outfits acting against India for the sake of the safety of its billions of dollars invested in the CPEC. But two questions here are important: Will China do it? Will terror-backers in Pakistani establishment agree to it? A stronger and long-term Indian response may.TagsBalochistanChinaIndiaJammu and KashmirKashmirPakistanEnd of Article
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Pahalgam terror attack: India has a case to strike CPEC assets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
