Attack in Kashmir Kills 26, Fuels India-Pakistan Tensions

A deadly attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam region left at least 26 people dead, mostly Indian tourists, marking the deadliest civilian assault in the region in decades and shattering recent claims of peace and normalcy. The attack, claimed by the Resistance Front—a group India links to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—appeared to target Hindu tourists, intensifying communal and geopolitical tensions. In response, Indian authorities launched extensive crackdowns, detaining thousands, conducting house raids, and destroying homes allegedly linked to militants, sparking concerns about collective punishment and further alienation of local Kashmiris. Public outrage in India has fueled calls for military retaliation against Pakistan, which has denied involvement and promised an investigation. The incident has exposed the enduring volatility in Kashmir despite government assertions of stability following the 2019 revocation of its special status, with experts highlighting unresolved grievances and persistent militarization as root causes of unrest. The attack has dealt a significant blow to the region’s tourism industry and raised fears of renewed cycles of violence between India and Pakistan.