Pakistan has called for a “neutral” investigation into the killings of primarily Indian tourists in Kashmir, which New Delhi has attributed to Islamabad. Pakistan expressed its willingness to cooperate and emphasized its commitment to peace.
India has identified two of the three suspected militants as Pakistani nationals, but Islamabad has denied involvement in the attack, which occurred on Tuesday and resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian and one Nepali tourists.
“Pakistan is fully prepared to cooperate with any neutral investigators to ensure that the truth is uncovered and justice is served,” said Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi. “Pakistan remains committed to peace, stability, and international norms but will not compromise on its sovereignty,” he added during a press conference.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth,” promising that those responsible will face severe punishment. Calls for military retaliation against Pakistan have also been growing among Indian politicians and others.
Following the attack, both India and Pakistan have implemented retaliatory measures, with Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines, and India suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that governs water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries.
The two nations, both claiming full sovereignty over Kashmir while partially administering it, have also exchanged fire along their de facto border after four years of relative calm. The Indian Army reported responding to “unprovoked” small arms fire from multiple Pakistan Army posts starting around midnight on Friday along the 740-km (460-mile) border, with no casualties reported.
The Pakistani military did not respond to a request for comment.
Indian security forces have continued their search for the suspects and have demolished the homes of at least five suspected militants, including one believed to have been involved in the recent attack.
In Murram village in Pulwama district, broken glass littered the site of one such demolished house. Locals reported not having seen Ehsan Ahmed Sheikh, a suspected militant whose house was destroyed, in the past three years. His family declined to comment.
“Nobody knows where he is,” said neighbor Sameer Ahmed. “Ehsan’s family has lost their home. They will suffer for this, not him.”
The escalating tensions have also affected business operations. Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, are preparing for higher fuel costs and longer flight durations as they reroute international flights.
The Indian government has instructed airlines to keep passengers informed about rerouting and delays, while ensuring sufficient supplies of food, water, and medical kits for extended journeys.
