Pakistan has convened an emergency meeting of its National Security Committee (NSC) following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, as tensions with India reach a dangerous crescendo.
The meeting, to be held on Thursday (24 April), comes in direct response to New Delhi’s diplomatic actions and accusations levelled at Islamabad in the wake of the attack.
Senior military and civilian officials are expected to attend the high-level gathering, described by Islamabad as a response to India’s “provocative” measures.
On Tuesday, unidentified gunmen opened fire on tourists in the picturesque Himalayan town of Pahalgam, killing 26 people—25 of them Indian nationals and one Nepali.
It marks the deadliest civilian assault in Kashmir in a quarter of a century.
India has swiftly pointed the finger at Pakistan, accusing it of cross-border terrorism.
In retaliation, New Delhi has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, closed its primary land border with Pakistan, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, ordering them to leave the country within 48 hours.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that the NSC meeting had been called due to the severity of the incident.
“Such meetings are only convened in the event of major terrorist attacks or external threats,” he stated.
Indian authorities allege separatist insurgents are behind the massacre, though no group has formally claimed responsibility.
A little-known outfit calling itself “Kashmir Resistance” has posted a statement on social media accepting responsibility, claiming the victims were not ordinary tourists but agents linked to Indian intelligence. These claims remain unverified.
Pakistan has vehemently denied involvement, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calling the attack a potential “false flag” operation staged by India itself—a charge echoed by official statements from Islamabad.
“This possibility can never be entirely ruled out,” said Asif.
India maintains the ongoing insurgency in Kashmir is fuelled by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan counters that it is a legitimate independence movement, driven by the aspirations of Kashmiri Muslims, many of whom seek either independence or accession to Pakistan.
Since 1989, the insurgency in Kashmir has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, militants, and security personnel, making it one of the world’s longest-running and bloodiest territorial disputes.
