India's Diplomatic & Domestic Crackdown Post-Pahalgam Terror Attack
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has launched a multi-pronged response. A Shashi Tharoor-led all-party delegation is in Brazil to rally international support against cross-border terrorism and brief leaders on India's stance. Domestically, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrest of 81 individuals for allegedly sympathising with Pakistan and expressing 'anti-national' sentiments related to the attack, underscoring a firm internal security posture.
Unpacked:
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. Attackers asked the religion of male tourists and singled out Hindu men, sparking fears of communal violence. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Indian civilians in the region since 2000, challenging the government's efforts to restore normalcy in Kashmir.
Indian authorities linked the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba, with at least two of the attackers identified as foreigners. Forensic evidence, intelligence intercepts, and digital traces point to support from operatives in Pakistan, particularly involvement by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Satellite imagery requests and investigative reporting also suggest cross-border planning.
India launched Operation SINDOOR, targeting terror bases believed responsible for the attack. Extensive searches were conducted in Kashmir, with over 1,500 people detained for questioning. Authorities demolished homes of families of suspected militants and intensified counter-terrorism operations in the region to prevent further incidents.
India is seeking to rally international support against cross-border terrorism by briefing global leaders on the Pahalgam attack and its links to Pakistan. By engaging at international forums like Brazil, India aims to increase diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, secure condemnation of terrorism, and bolster global cooperation against terror networks.