Pakistan shuts Airspace to Indian airlines; India revokes VISA

Tensions between India and Pakistan soared on Thursday after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam triggered a wave of retaliatory measures from New Delhi and sharp responses from Islamabad. In the aftermath of the assault, which claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists—India launched a series of diplomatic and strategic responses, accusing Pakistan of fostering cross-border terrorism.

India revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals with effect from April 27 and advised its citizens to avoid travel to Pakistan. It also expelled several Pakistani diplomats and announced a reduction of diplomatic staff in both embassies from 55 to 30 by May 1. Furthermore, India closed its only operational land border crossing with Pakistan and suspended the historic Indus Waters Treaty—a move Pakistan declared as highly provocative.

Reacting strongly, Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian-owned and operated aircraft and suspended all trade with India, including third-country goods transiting through its territory. The decision was made during a high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

Pakistan vehemently denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown outfit calling itself the "Kashmir Resistance." The country’s foreign minister warned that any “kinetic step” taken by India would be met with a “tit-for-tat” military response, raising fears of another escalation reminiscent of the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot episode.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally, vowed to track down every terrorist involved and punish not only them but also those who support and shelter them. He also convened an all-party meeting to outline India’s position and further course of action, signaling that the government might not stop at diplomatic retaliation.

As public outrage grew in both countries, especially over water-related concerns, Pakistan warned that any attempt to obstruct its rights as a lower riparian state under the Indus Waters Treaty would be seen as an “act of war.” Protests erupted in multiple Pakistani cities, demanding a tough response to India's decisions.

The sudden collapse of diplomatic bridges has reignited fears of a larger conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors, both of whom claim Kashmir in its entirety and have fought multiple wars over it. While both nations maintained a fragile ceasefire agreement since 2021, the events of the past 48 hours have destabilized what little calm existed.