Modi to retaliate for Pahalgam attack, says Eknath Shinde; India-Pakistan tensions escalate

On April 22, 2025, five armed terrorists launched a deadly assault on civilians in Baisaran Valley, near the popular tourist hub of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people. The attackers, reportedly affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted a group of Hindu tourists. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would “avenge the killings of innocent tourists by Pakistanis,” indicating a strong response was forthcoming.

The Pahalgam attack has triggered the sharpest India-Pakistan escalation since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, drawing parallels with previous retaliatory measures such as the Balakot airstrikes. The situation remains fluid, with security forces on high alert across the northern borders and diplomatic ties rapidly deteriorating.

What Happened at Baisaran Valley Near Pahalgam?

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the attack occurred around 4:30 PM IST when five assailants wearing combat-style clothing infiltrated the Baisaran meadow, a well-known trekking destination, and opened fire on tourists. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen asked passengers to recite Islamic verses before executing them at close range. The assailants are believed to have used automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifles and American-origin M4 carbines.

Among the victims was Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local pony operator from Anantnag, who was shot while shielding tourists. His body was recovered alongside those of 25 Hindu tourists and two local guides. Police have confirmed that the incident lasted nearly 15 minutes before the militants escaped into the nearby forest under cover of darkness.

Who Were the Attackers, and What Is Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Role?

Initial responsibility was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), which later retracted its statement. Indian intelligence agencies, however, have linked the operation to Lashkar-e-Taiba, citing forensic analysis and electronic intercepts. Two of the five gunmen were identified as Pakistani nationals, based on biometric data matched against immigration watchlists.

Officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have reportedly traced the digital communication trail of the attackers to handlers operating from Muzaffarabad and Karachi. The Ministry of Home Affairs has described the assault as a “cross-border coordinated terror operation” intended to sabotage the ongoing tourism revival in Kashmir.

What Has Prime Minister Modi’s Government Done So Far?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level emergency meeting on April 23, involving the Chiefs of Army Staff, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the National Security Advisor. According to government sources, India has since suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, ceased bilateral talks, and shut down Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines.

More than 1,500 suspected individuals have been detained across the Kashmir Valley in a sweeping security crackdown. In addition, border security has been bolstered, and forward deployment of artillery units has been ordered along sensitive stretches of the Line of Control.

Deputy CM Shinde, speaking from Mumbai, said that Modi “will not spare Pakistan this time” and promised that “each life lost will be avenged.” The Indian Navy has also escalated readiness protocols in the Arabian Sea, conducting tri-service drills off the western coast.

What Did Eknath Shinde Say, and Why Is It Significant?

Speaking to reporters during a press briefing in Mumbai, Eknath Shinde condemned the Pahalgam killings and declared that Prime Minister Modi would deliver a “resolute and notch-up response.” He said the country “must remember that Modi-ji eliminated terrorists in Balakot and Uri, and the same resolve will be shown again.”

Although Shinde does not hold a national security portfolio, his comments reflect the broader political narrative being pushed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2026 general elections. His remarks serve to underscore the government’s positioning as strong on national security and uncompromising on terrorism.

How Is the International Community Responding?

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep condolences and reiterated support for India’s right to self-defence during a call with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. Rubio also urged restraint, warning that escalating hostilities could destabilize the entire South Asian region.

France and the United Kingdom have condemned the attacks and offered intelligence-sharing cooperation. The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door session on April 30 to review the rising tension.

Pakistan has officially denied any involvement in the attack. In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad called for an impartial international inquiry and warned that any Indian “military misadventure” would be met with “a proportionate and immediate response.”

What Are the Risks of Further Escalation Between India and Pakistan?

The situation at the Line of Control remains tense, with daily ceasefire violations reported since April 24. Army officials in Northern Command have confirmed that artillery exchanges have resumed in several forward sectors in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Rajouri.

Analysts warn that the combination of a high-casualty civilian attack and India’s aggressive military posture could lead to a limited-scale cross-border retaliation similar to past surgical strikes. However, New Delhi may also choose a more covert, calibrated approach involving targeted operations and international diplomatic campaigns.

With both nuclear-armed nations locked in an information war and expelling diplomats, the chances of a miscalculation have increased substantially. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to avoid travel to Pakistan “until further notice.”

Is This Part of a Larger Pattern of Terrorism in Kashmir?

The Pahalgam incident follows a renewed spike in cross-border infiltration and increased activity by Pakistan-backed terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Since early 2025, security forces have foiled at least six infiltration attempts and seized large caches of arms and narcotics along the LoC.

Officials from the Indian Army’s Northern Command stated that the objective of such attacks appears to be the disruption of the G20 tourism initiatives recently launched in Kashmir. Civilian traffic along key routes has been restricted since the attack, and the Amarnath Yatra security plan is now under urgent review.

What Is the Status of the Investigation?

The NIA, working with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, has formed special teams to pursue leads within and outside the Union Territory. Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) teams have collected ballistic samples, while mobile tower data is being analysed for potential local support networks.

Security agencies are also coordinating with intelligence units in New Delhi and foreign counterparts to trace financial transactions linked to the attack. A red alert has been issued across northern military zones, and Indian embassies abroad have been briefed to raise diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

What Comes Next for India’s Counter-Terrorism Doctrine?

The Pahalgam attack could prompt India to recalibrate its counter-terror doctrine, with a renewed focus on proactive deterrence and cross-border intelligence capabilities. According to officials familiar with the matter, strategic options under consideration range from economic sanctions and covert cyber operations to precision air raids against terror camps across the LoC.

While the public sentiment currently favours strong military action, institutional voices within the Cabinet Committee on Security are reportedly divided over the risks of broader escalation.