War is not merely a failure of diplomacy, but a culmination of unresolved ideologies, historical trauma, fear, and a cycle of violence. Since independence, India and Pakistan have been locked in recurring military confrontations—1947, 1965, 1971, and Kargil in 1999—each conflict deepening mistrust. The April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, claiming 28 lives, shattered Kashmir’s peace and reignited tensions. This brutal act exposed how radicalism fractures harmony, integrity and unity, diverting faith into tools of blind hatred and bigotry to justify cruelty. The article explores the military and diplomatic responses by both governments and how they further strained an already fragile geopolitical and socio-political landscape in the Indian subcontinent.

Sequences of retaliatory development in the Indian subcontinent 

Within 24 hours of the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 28 civilian lives, New Delhi declared Pakistani military diplomats (Defence, Naval and Air Advisors) persona non grata and expelled them from the Pakistani High Commission. All Pakistani visas were suspended amid accusations that Islamabad had “

” by sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), joined by Home Minister Amit Shah, EAM S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior officials. The CCS endorsed a two-pronged response: condemn Pakistan’s role in terror and prepare proportionate military retaliation under 

, to the Pahalgam massacre. Two attackers, Ali

Bhai alias Talha and Asif Fauji, were confirmed Pakistani nationals; digital forensics traced them to safe houses in Muzaffarabad. A third suspect, Hashim Moosa, emerged as a former Pakistani Special Service Group commando, suggesting direct military collusion. India presented this dossier to the 

, urging TRF’s designation as a terrorist entity.

At 02:00 AM IST on May 7, Indian forces launched 

, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK with precision-guided munitions. Satellite imagery released by the 

 confirmed the destruction of training facilities and ammunition depots. Official statements emphasized that the strikes were “

.” PM Modi hailed the operation as a decisive message: terrorism against Indian citizens would meet firm retaliation.

Between May 7–9, Pakistan retaliated with an unprecedented barrage: over 600 armed drones and short-range missiles targeted Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jammu and Amritsar

 intercepted most UAVs and missiles, though at least eight drones reached Rajasthan, causing blackouts in Jaisalmer and Barmer. Reconnaissance drones probed Pathankot and other airbases; eight ballistic missiles aimed at Jammu towns were shot down by S-400 and Akash batteries, with debris inflicting minor damage on border villages.

Indiscriminate Shelling in Civilian areas

Late on May 7, Pakistan unleashed artillery and mortar fire across the Line of Control and the International Border, striking civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdhar. Official Army figures reported 15 civilian deaths and 43 injuries—schools, markets and parks came under fire. Pre-dawn on May 8, heavy-calibre rounds struck the historic 

 in Poonch, killing four worshippers (including an ex-serviceman) and wounding 45 more, while reducing parts of the complex to rubble. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned these attacks as “

,” branding them war crimes under international law and warning of calibrated counter-fire for every violation.

On May 7, amid mounting hostilities, schools and colleges across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan border districts were ordered closed. Concurrently, the Home Ministry initiated 

, a nationwide civil-defence drill in 244 districts, featuring air-raid sirens, blackout simulations, evacuation rehearsals and public training—designed to fortify civilian readiness against any further escalation.

In the wake of drone incursions on May 8, India suspended operations at 32 domestic airports until May 15 (5:29 AM IST). Pakistan, under international pressure for keeping its airspace open despite hostilities, closed its skies that same day.

Throughout May 8–9, Pakistani artillery and mortar units continued shelling Poonch, Rajouri and Tangdhar, disrupting daily life, damaging infrastructure, and deepening civilian suffering. India’s counter-battery fire targeted militant positions but took care to avoid escalating into full-scale war.

On May 10, U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly tweeted that he had brokered an immediate India–Pakistan ceasefire, despite Vice President JD Vance’s prior declaration that the conflict was 

“none of the United States’ business".

 Washington quickly clarified there was no formal agreement; India dismissed the ceasefire claim outright. News of the ceasefire was greeted with relief on both sides of the border and Pakistan's airport authority said its airspace had been fully reopened. However, subsequent violations were reported which was confirmed by a video posted by Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He captioned on X, 

"What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!! This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.” 

for any further breaches, and Pakistan accused India of aggression—each side trading accusations in a tumultuous narrative war.

, which allocated eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. Delhi justified this unprecedented move by citing Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. Islamabad protested, warning that millions depend on these waters. Legal analysts warn that unilateral withdrawal could violate the 

potentially dragging the dispute before international courts.

The Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025 triggered one of the most serious Indo-Pak escalations in decades. New Delhi’s swift diplomatic reprisals and Operation Sindoor was a predecessor to the subsequent drone and missile barrages, coupled with indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and places of worship, by Pakistani forces generating a grave humanitarian crisis drawing international condemnation. The exasperating suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty represented an unprecedented rupture in bilateral cooperation. Together, these developments illustrate a dangerously frayed theatre of geopolitics on the subcontinent: any spark has the potential to set off a blaze.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict

Articles by Sritama Chakrabortty

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict

Reignition of Burning Fires Along the Border: Exploring Terror, Escalation, and the Termination of Diplomatic Treaties Amidst the Ongoing Indo-Pak Conflict