In the aftermath of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22, 2025, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply. The attack, which led to the deaths of 26 civilians, has sent shockwaves across the country and has had significant geopolitical and military ramifications.

Since the attack, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) for twelve consecutive days, targeting key sectors such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. These unprovoked ceasefire violations have prompted the Indian Army to launch precise retaliatory measures, ensuring both tactical restraint and operational impact. According to military sources, Indian forces have responded proportionately but decisively to each violation, with ground-level reports confirming increased troop deployment in sensitive areas.

Pahalgam Attack and Nationwide Repercussions

The April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 innocent lives, has intensified public anger and hardened India's military and diplomatic stance. The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has vowed a stringent response. Home Minister Amit Shah instructed all security agencies to be on maximum alert while intensifying intelligence operations in border states.

In response to the ongoing ceasefire violations, security has been visibly heightened in Poonch and Rajouri, with vehicle inspections and patrols being carried out on major routes. Visuals from ground zero show forces conducting combing operations in border villages to prevent infiltration or sabotage attempts.

ISI-Linked Terror Hardware Recovered in Punjab

Adding to the volatile atmosphere, a major counter-terrorism breakthrough occurred in Punjab’s SBS Nagar, where the Special State Operations Cell (SSOC) of Amritsar, alongside a central intelligence agency, recovered a large cache of terrorist hardware. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, officials discovered:

• 2 Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs)

• 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

• 5 P-86 Hand Grenades

• 1 Wireless Communication Set

The cache is believed to be linked to ISI-backed cross-border terror outfits, with investigations underway to trace the delivery chain and intended targets.

UNSC Snub for Pakistan

Hoping to internationalise the situation, Pakistan requested an emergency UNSC session, but the meeting ended without a consensus or official statement. The absence of any supportive declaration or press release is being viewed as a diplomatic setback for Pakistan, particularly as it failed to gather momentum on the international stage despite raising repeated alarms.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while expressing grief over the deteriorating situation, called for "maximum restraint" and reaffirmed that a military solution is no solution. His statement is being interpreted as a plea for peace but also as an indirect reflection of the UN’s limited influence in de-escalating regional hostility.

India Suspends Indus Treaty Clauses

Escalation also took a hydro-political turn, with India choosing to put the Indus Water Treaty "in abeyance". As a result, water flows from the Chenab River have seen sudden reductions, triggering alarm within Pakistan's Indus River System Authority (IRSA). The IRSA advisory committee has warned of a 21% water shortage during the upcoming Kharif season, citing the closure of all gates at the Baglihar Dam in Ramban as a contributing factor.

Visuals have emerged of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project in full lockdown mode, signalling a rare strategic move by India that combines geopolitical retaliation with economic leverage.

Nationwide Civil Defence Drill Ordered

In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all state governments to conduct Civil Defence Exercises on May 7 across 244 categorized districts. The aim is to evaluate readiness at the district and village level in case of hostile attacks or national emergencies. The drill will simulate scenarios ranging from bomb threats to biological and cyber attacks, underlining the government’s emphasis on public awareness and rapid response mechanisms.

This is one of the most comprehensive civil defence exercises in recent years and indicates the seriousness with which the government is approaching the security challenge post-Pahalgam.

Political Unity and Public Support

Despite the ongoing political polarization within the country, opposition leaders have extended support to the government. Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot publicly stated that the opposition stands by the government in these testing times. He noted that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should be free to take whatever decisions are deemed necessary in the national interest.

Public sentiment, too, is overwhelmingly united behind the armed forces and the government, with calls for swift and impactful responses to the repeated provocations from across the border.

Arrests and Continued Security Operations

Meanwhile, the security apparatus continues to tighten across Jammu and Kashmir. In Budgam district, security forces arrested two terrorist associates during a naka checking operation near Buchpora. The arrested individuals were found in possession of:

• 1 Pistol

• 1 Grenade

• 15 Live Rounds

Initial interrogation suggests these individuals were part of a broader logistics and support network for cross-border militants, further confirming fears of an expanded operational grid in the region.

Conclusion

The current India-Pakistan situation remains extremely volatile, with multiple fronts being engaged simultaneously — from military exchanges along the LoC to diplomatic maneuvering, resource-based pressure tactics, and internal security operations. While the Indian government continues to assure the public of its preparedness, global eyes are fixed on how the conflict may evolve in the coming weeks.

As the May 7 civil defence drills approach, the focus remains on national readiness, cross-border retaliation, and preserving internal security. Meanwhile, the international community continues to urge de-escalation, though with little impact on the ground.

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