UN urges India and Pakistan to show maximum restraint after deadly Kashmir attack

Diplomatic fallout escalates between India and Pakistan as Kashmir shooting leaves 26 dead.

Indian police patrol Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, following the militant attack in Pahalgam that killed more than 26 tourists, including a local, on April 24, 2025. Photo by Muzamil Mattoo/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The United Nations has called on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint as the two nuclear-armed neighbors face a sharp deterioration in relations following a deadly attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The shooting, which took place at the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, is the worst civilian massacre in the region in more than two decades and has ignited a wave of diplomatic retaliation from both countries.

Speaking in New York on Thursday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric urged both governments to avoid further escalation and to resolve their issues through peaceful dialogue. “We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further,” Dujarric stated.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the attack with a fiery pledge to track down and punish those responsible. “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,” Modi said during a speech on Thursday, marking his first public comments since the attack occurred on Tuesday.

Modi emphasized India’s commitment to pursuing justice. “We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” he said. Authorities have blamed the attack on the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist group known for previous operations in the region. Police say two of the three assailants have been identified as Pakistani nationals, and bounties of two million rupees ($23,500) have been offered for each.

In a sharp rebuttal, Islamabad rejected any suggestion of involvement, calling the accusations “frivolous” and warning of strong retaliation against any Indian aggression. A statement from Pakistan’s government following a high-level National Security Committee meeting said, “Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains.”

In response to New Delhi's actions, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, revoked visas for most Indian citizens, and shut down its side of the key border crossing. The only exception was made for Sikh pilgrims. Additionally, Pakistani officials warned that any Indian move to restrict water flow from the Indus River would be considered an “act of war.”

The tit-for-tat measures have caused diplomatic relations to plunge to their lowest point in years. Following the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, revoked visas for Pakistanis, downgraded diplomatic ties, and closed the main land border. These measures mark a dramatic escalation in a historically volatile relationship between the two nations.

Kashmir, claimed by both countries but divided between them, has long been a flashpoint. Armed insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir has persisted since 1989, with rebel groups seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan. Attacks in the region have typically targeted Indian security forces, making the civilian death toll in Pahalgam particularly shocking.

The scale and brutality of the attack have drawn comparisons to the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which killed 41 Indian soldiers and led to retaliatory Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan. Many observers now believe that a military response is under serious consideration, with some predicting action within days.

Modi’s warning that “whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust” has added to the speculation. However, the Indian government has also historically taken time to plan its responses to major incidents, with previous attacks leading to delayed but forceful military action.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred while tourists were enjoying the serene mountain scenery of Pahalgam. Gunmen reportedly emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on the crowd with automatic weapons. Some survivors told Indian media that the attackers spared those who could recite the Islamic declaration of faith, suggesting a deliberate targeting of non-Muslim men.

Indian authorities have since launched an extensive manhunt for the suspects. Security forces have detained numerous individuals and conducted sweeping operations across the region. Police remain focused on tracking the third gunman, who has not yet been publicly identified.

The attack has sparked widespread anger across India, particularly among Hindu nationalist groups. In the aftermath, Kashmiri students and professionals living in other parts of India have reported facing harassment and intimidation. The growing hostility has raised concerns about communal violence and retaliatory incidents, especially given the polarizing political climate.

In a time of heightened nationalism, Modi’s rhetoric has resonated with many within his support base, who see his tough stance as a necessary response. However, critics warn that increased militarization and hardened political postures could lead to a dangerous cycle of violence.

India’s air force and navy conducted military exercises on Thursday, signaling readiness and reinforcing its defense posture. Although no official statement has confirmed a military operation, the presence of large-scale drills adds weight to speculation about a potential strike on militant infrastructure across the border.

Experts believe that India may target Lashkar-e-Taiba training camps or logistic bases in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, similar to the Balakot airstrike of 2019. However, such a move could provoke a broader conflict, particularly if Pakistani forces respond in kind.

The UN's call for maximum restraint reflects the international community's concern over the potential for escalation between two nations with nuclear capabilities. The Kashmir conflict remains one of the world’s most volatile territorial disputes, and renewed hostilities threaten not only regional stability but also global security.

Diplomats in Washington, Beijing, and Brussels are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, urging both sides to avoid further provocation. With past incidents showing how quickly conflict can spiral, the emphasis on dialogue and de-escalation has become more urgent than ever.

As Kashmir reels from its deadliest civilian attack in decades, and with India and Pakistan trading sanctions and threats, the path forward remains uncertain. The region has endured generations of violence, mistrust, and missed opportunities for peace. While the international community urges restraint, the likelihood of short-term reconciliation appears slim.

Both India and Pakistan are navigating political pressures at home and strategic interests abroad. How they respond in the coming days will not only determine the next chapter in Kashmir’s troubled history but could also reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

The United Nations continues to advocate for restraint, but as the bloodshed in Pahalgam demonstrates, peace remains as elusive as ever in this decades-long conflict.