Pakistan suspends visas, expels Indian diplomats after Kashmir shooting

Tensions between Pakistan and India have intensified after a deadly assault in Indian-administered Kashmir left 26 tourists dead, prompting retaliatory measures from both sides.

In the wake of the shooting, which took place near the scenic town of Pahalgam on Tuesday, Islamabad announced it was suspending all visas issued to Indian nationals under a previous exemption scheme. Additionally, Pakistan expelled several Indian diplomats and barred Indian aircraft from its airspace.

The moves come after Indian police accused members of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba of carrying out the attack. Authorities have named three of the four alleged gunmen — two of whom they claim are Pakistani nationals, and one a local from Kashmir. The fourth suspect has not been publicly identified. None have responded to the accusations.

Pakistan has firmly denied any role in the assault. Its National Security Committee dismissed the claims as “baseless,” criticizing India for "attempts to link the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan" without what it described as "credible investigation or verifiable evidence."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in strong terms, pledging to pursue justice. “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers and we will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” he said. “The terrorists behind the killings, along with their backers, will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine. Our enemies have dared to attack the country's soul... India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism."

Following the attack, India rolled out a series of retaliatory diplomatic measures. Among them was the immediate closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing — a key link between the two nations — and the suspension of all visa services for Pakistani nationals.

In response, Pakistan announced its own countermeasures. Aside from the airspace closure and visa freeze, it suspended bilateral trade with India, reduced the number of Indian diplomats in Islamabad to 30, and demanded the withdrawal of Indian defence, naval, and air attachés by April 30.

Islamabad also rebuked New Delhi’s move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, a vital six-decade-old agreement that governs water sharing between the two countries. Pakistani officials warned that any attempt to block or divert water would be “considered as an Act of War.”

Meanwhile, Indian security forces have detained around 1,500 individuals in Kashmir for questioning as part of their investigation. A reward of USD 23,000 has been announced for information leading to the arrest of the attackers.

The victims of the shooting include an Indian Navy officer who was on his honeymoon, a local guide supporting his family, and a businessman vacationing with his loved ones. Families across India are mourning the victims as their bodies are returned home for burial.

Shops and schools in Kashmir, which were shuttered in the aftermath of the incident, have started reopening. However, fresh concerns have emerged as reports circulate of Kashmiri students facing intimidation and harassment in other parts of India.