India and Pakistan trade fire after Kashmir attack as political rivals unite at home

India blames Pakistan for Kashmir killings while leaders in both countries use crisis for domestic unity.

A Pakistani national heads toward Pakistan at the Attari Integrated Check Post after India closed the Attari-Wagah border, on April 27, 2025, in Amritsar, India. Photo by Sameer Sehgal/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again after a deadly attack in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir, leading to border skirmishes and diplomatic expulsions. But even as India and Pakistan trade fire after the Kashmir attack, political forces within both nations have begun closing ranks, seizing the moment to project unity amid crisis.

On April 22, gunmen stormed a remote village in the restive Himalayan region, killing 26 civilians in one of the worst attacks seen in Kashmir in years. New Delhi was quick to point fingers at Islamabad, accusing Pakistan of harboring and supporting the attackers—a charge the Pakistani government has strongly denied.

Despite the diplomatic standoff and shots fired across the Line of Control (LoC), the de-facto border separating Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir, the aftermath of the incident has created a rare moment of national consensus in both capitals. Political opponents who usually spar with governments in New Delhi and Islamabad have instead called for unity, taking a stance aimed at bolstering their own domestic credibility and portraying their countries as resolute in the face of external threats.

India accuses Pakistan of supporting attack, Pakistan rejects allegations

India’s swift reaction to the massacre in Kashmir was underscored by its claims that the perpetrators were backed by Pakistan-based groups. Authorities released wanted posters of three suspects—two from Pakistan and one from India—allegedly tied to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed terrorist organization recognized by the United Nations. The names and faces of the accused quickly made headlines across Indian media, further inflaming public sentiment.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government responded with a series of symbolic and concrete actions. The LoC saw renewed exchanges of gunfire, both countries expelled select diplomatic staff, and New Delhi temporarily suspended cross-border civilian movement.

“The public is used to a certain hostile rhetoric when it comes to Pakistan, and they are now begging for blood,” said Praveen Donthi, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. “They are asking for a military retaliation. Modi is under pressure to deliver.”

Yet while this standoff risks boiling over into open confrontation, analysts suggest both sides are also carefully navigating the crisis for internal political gain.

Modi receives rare bipartisan support from opposition

India’s political climate, often deeply divided, has for now shifted toward solidarity. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress Party and a frequent critic of Modi’s leadership, voiced unconditional support for any steps the government may take in response to the attack.

“Whatever steps the government wishes to take, we will fully support them,” Gandhi declared. “At such a time, it is extremely essential that every Indian remains united and stands together so that we can foil this conspiracy of the terrorists.”

His comments were echoed by youth organizations aligned with Congress. The Indian Youth Congress, for example, held nationwide rallies, displaying the national flag and expressing support for Modi’s government. During one such rally in New Delhi, IYC member Ravi Kumar addressed a crowd, saying: “I pray to God for the peace of those who lost their lives in this attack. The people of the country and the opposition are standing firmly with you.”

Even political leaders from India’s Muslim minority—often targeted by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hindu nationalist rhetoric—joined the chorus of condemnation directed at Pakistan. “Remember, if you go into another country and kill innocent people, no country will remain silent,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.

Pakistani parties and army find common cause amid border tension

A similar dynamic is playing out in Islamabad. Although opposition parties have, in recent months, been increasingly vocal against the Pakistani military’s dominant role in politics and the economy, the current climate has dampened overt criticism.

“When there is a fear of war, people show greater support for the army,” noted Ayesha Siddiqa, a respected political analyst.

In a symbolic show of unity, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party voted in favor of an anti-India resolution in the Senate. The resolution passed unanimously.

“This is not about being with this installed government or the army, it is about standing against the enemy,” said PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram. Echoing this sentiment, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar added, “We don’t speak as party members, we speak as Pakistanis.”

The narrative pushed by Pakistan’s official channels casts the attack as a false-flag operation orchestrated by India to justify aggression. This line has resonated among segments of the Pakistani public. “India is holding us responsible after having executed its own citizens,” said Matloob Inkalabi, a resident of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. In Islamabad’s commercial district, trader Waqas Sheikh echoed the sentiment: “The attack was planned by the Indians. Pakistan has nothing to do with it. I support the army if India continues its provocations.”

Risk of escalation looms as both nations signal strength

Despite the relative calm inside political halls in both capitals, the potential for escalation remains dangerously high. The Line of Control remains volatile, with exchanges of gunfire reported almost daily since the April 22 attack. Troop movements on both sides of the border have also intensified, with neither government willing to appear weak.

“The challenge is managing domestic expectations,” said Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. “Both Modi and Pakistan’s military leadership face constituencies that expect a strong response. That could lead to miscalculations.”

There is also concern among international observers that both governments may use the crisis to deflect attention from internal challenges—rising inflation, political instability, and human rights issues among them. For instance, while Modi’s administration touts strength against terrorism, critics note his party has leveraged such attacks to consolidate electoral support in the past. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s caretaker government and military leaders may seek to divert criticism over recent crackdowns on dissent by focusing on external threats.

International community urges restraint

With both India and Pakistan being nuclear-armed states, the stakes are high. The United Nations, the United States, and the European Union have all urged both sides to show restraint. So far, neither government has signaled a willingness to open diplomatic backchannels, though analysts say quiet talks may still be occurring behind the scenes.

“The key concern is miscalculation,” warned a senior Western diplomat familiar with the region. “What begins as posturing or tactical response can quickly spiral. The world can’t afford another conflict between India and Pakistan.”

As India and Pakistan trade fire after the Kashmir attack, what remains uncertain is whether this political convergence within both nations will lead to a de-escalation of cross-border tensions—or simply set the stage for further confrontation.