On April 22, 2025, a militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killed 26 tourists, marking the region’s deadliest assault on civilians since 2000. In response, India has closed border crossings, suspended a water-sharing treaty, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh promised a strong military retaliation, likely targeting Pakistan, which has a history of responding to such actions. Analysts caution that while India may pursue military action to restore deterrence, the risks of escalation and miscalculation remain high, especially given both nations are nuclear-armed.