Last week’s militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 civilians, has rekindled concerns over India’s security and its historical responses to such violence, reminiscent of the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Experts, including former diplomat Ajay Bisaria, highlight the shift in targets from military to civilian casualties, which evokes memories of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, prompting India to implement swift retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including suspending key treaties and restricting diplomatic engagements. The ongoing tensions illustrate the precarious balance India must maintain between escalation and restraint in its fraught relationship with Pakistan.
