NEW DELHI: As India marks one month since the deadly Pahalgam terror attack , the series of events that unfolded since April 22, have dramatically altered the landscape of India-Pakistan relations and regional security dynamics.
On April 22, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years when four terrorists of The Resistance Front,an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, opened fire at point-blank range on tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, just 6 kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam. The attack claimed 26 lives.
The incident occurred on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Saudi Arabia on an official visit, and US vice president JD Vance happened to be in India with family on a private trip.
As soon as the news reached PM Modi, he cut short his Saudi visit and returned to New Delhi. Union home minister Amit Shah, without further ado, flew to Srinagar and later visited the attack site in Anantnag district to assess the situation and meet the victims' families.
The attack set off a chain of unprecedented diplomatic and military actions between India and Pakistan, culminating in India's largest crossborder operation in recent years.
Here's all that happened in the past month:
India suspends Indus Waters Treaty in response
On April 23, just a day after the terror strike, the central government suspended the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)- a landmark 1960 water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
The treaty regulates the use of six rivers in the Indus basin.
The Indus River system includes the main Indus and six major tributaries. Five of these - the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, and Jhelum - lie on the left bank, while the Kabul River is the only right-bank tributary. Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej are categorised as eastern rivers; Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab as western rivers. The Kabul River does not pass through Indian territory. The treaty had long been seen as a symbol of cooperation amid tense bilateral ties.
Pakistan puts Simla Agreement on hold
In a retaliatory move, Pakistan announced a suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement on April 24, along with all other bilateral accords with India - citing India's “non-adherence to international law, cross-border aggression, and fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office declared that the agreements would remain suspended until India reverses its “aggressive behaviour.”
The Indian Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad was summoned to formally receive this notification.
PM Modi's first public address after Pahalgam massacre
Speaking at a public rally in Madhubani, Bihar - his first after the Pahalgam attack- Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong statement, declaring, “We will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.” In a rare English remark, he added, “Every effort will be made to ensure justice. The entire nation stands united.”
Nationwide security buildup amid rising tensions
Following the breakdown of two key bilateral agreements, India went on high alert. Civil and military drills were ramped up along the India-Pakistan border.
Blackouts were practiced in sensitive districts on Indo-Pak borders, and emergency preparedness drills were held at key infrastructure sites across the country.
Operation Sindoor : India's decisive military response
In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a bold and coordinated military operation targeting total 9 terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam massacre.
Utilising advanced weaponry, air-launched cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and long-range drones - India struck nine high-value terror hubs, including Muridke and Bahawalpur, the ideological and operational centres of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Pak launches drone swarms
Pakistan retaliated with drone swarms and missile strikes, but India’s air defence systems successfully neutralised the threats, preventing significant damage or casualties.
Drones were spotted over cities like Amritsar, Pathankot, Jammu, Srinagar, Jaisalmer, Jalandhar, Ferozepur.
Daily briefings were conducted by foreign secretary Vikram Misri , flanked by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh , to provide updates on the situation.
IAF targets Pakistani airbases
In the days following the May 7 strikes, Pakistan continued airspace violations. India responded with precision airstrikes that reportedly destroyed 11 Pakistani airbases, including critical facilities - Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and Rahim Yar Khan Airbase.
The Nur Khan Airbase, formerly PAF Chaklala, was a strategic nerve centre for Pakistan's Air Mobility Command.
At a press conference, Air Marshal AK Bharti presented visual evidence of the destruction, said, “We have targeted the length and breadth of the adversary.”
Ceasefire agreement
On May 10, after several days of crossborder hostilities, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan called his Indian counterpart to propose a ceasefire. The agreement was accepted and formally announced that evening by foreign secretary Vikram Misri.
However, the calm was short-lived. Pakistan violated the ceasefire soon after by launching new drone swarms, which were promptly intercepted and neutralised by Indian forces.
Trump claims credit for brokered ceasefire
US President Donald Trump claimed that the ceasefire was brokered by the United States. Since May 10, Trump has repeatedly taken credit for what he calls a "peace agreement between two nuclear powers."
India launches global outreach over Operation Sindoor
To consolidate international support, the Indian government has launched a massive diplomatic campaign beginning May 23, deploying seven all-party delegations to 25 key global capitals.
A total of 51 political leaders, including sitting MPs and former ministers, and 8 former ambassadors are part of the outreach.
These delegations are visiting nations including permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other influential global players.
Prominent leaders in these delegations include:
This step by the Centre aims to present a united Indian stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and reaffirm the country's commitment to international peace and security.
PM Modi's stern warning to Pakistan
PM Modi, during a public rally in Rajasthan's Bikaner on Thursday, delivered a strong message on national security, counterterrorism, and India’s stance on Pakistan. Referring to the recent counterterror action under Operation Sindoor in retaliation of Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, he said India had given its armed forces a “free hand,” which led to a swift and decisive strike in early hours of May 7.
“In response to the attacks on the 22nd, within just 22 minutes, our forces destroyed nine of the biggest terrorist bases,” PM Modi said. “The enemies of India, both within and outside, have now seen what happens when sindoor turns into gunpowder,” (jab sindoor barood ban jata hai, to kya nateeja hota hai.)
On April 22, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years when four terrorists of The Resistance Front,an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, opened fire at point-blank range on tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, just 6 kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam. The attack claimed 26 lives.
The incident occurred on the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Saudi Arabia on an official visit, and US vice president JD Vance happened to be in India with family on a private trip.
As soon as the news reached PM Modi, he cut short his Saudi visit and returned to New Delhi. Union home minister Amit Shah, without further ado, flew to Srinagar and later visited the attack site in Anantnag district to assess the situation and meet the victims' families.
The attack set off a chain of unprecedented diplomatic and military actions between India and Pakistan, culminating in India's largest crossborder operation in recent years.
Here's all that happened in the past month:
India suspends Indus Waters Treaty in response
On April 23, just a day after the terror strike, the central government suspended the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)- a landmark 1960 water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
The treaty regulates the use of six rivers in the Indus basin.
The Indus River system includes the main Indus and six major tributaries. Five of these - the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, and Jhelum - lie on the left bank, while the Kabul River is the only right-bank tributary. Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej are categorised as eastern rivers; Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab as western rivers. The Kabul River does not pass through Indian territory. The treaty had long been seen as a symbol of cooperation amid tense bilateral ties.
Pakistan puts Simla Agreement on hold
In a retaliatory move, Pakistan announced a suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement on April 24, along with all other bilateral accords with India - citing India's “non-adherence to international law, cross-border aggression, and fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office declared that the agreements would remain suspended until India reverses its “aggressive behaviour.”
The Indian Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad was summoned to formally receive this notification.
PM Modi's first public address after Pahalgam massacre
Speaking at a public rally in Madhubani, Bihar - his first after the Pahalgam attack- Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong statement, declaring, “We will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.” In a rare English remark, he added, “Every effort will be made to ensure justice. The entire nation stands united.”
Nationwide security buildup amid rising tensions
Following the breakdown of two key bilateral agreements, India went on high alert. Civil and military drills were ramped up along the India-Pakistan border.
Blackouts were practiced in sensitive districts on Indo-Pak borders, and emergency preparedness drills were held at key infrastructure sites across the country.
Operation Sindoor : India's decisive military response
In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a bold and coordinated military operation targeting total 9 terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam massacre.
Utilising advanced weaponry, air-launched cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and long-range drones - India struck nine high-value terror hubs, including Muridke and Bahawalpur, the ideological and operational centres of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Pak launches drone swarms
Pakistan retaliated with drone swarms and missile strikes, but India’s air defence systems successfully neutralised the threats, preventing significant damage or casualties.
Drones were spotted over cities like Amritsar, Pathankot, Jammu, Srinagar, Jaisalmer, Jalandhar, Ferozepur.
Daily briefings were conducted by foreign secretary Vikram Misri , flanked by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh , to provide updates on the situation.
IAF targets Pakistani airbases
In the days following the May 7 strikes, Pakistan continued airspace violations. India responded with precision airstrikes that reportedly destroyed 11 Pakistani airbases, including critical facilities - Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and Rahim Yar Khan Airbase.
The Nur Khan Airbase, formerly PAF Chaklala, was a strategic nerve centre for Pakistan's Air Mobility Command.
At a press conference, Air Marshal AK Bharti presented visual evidence of the destruction, said, “We have targeted the length and breadth of the adversary.”
Ceasefire agreement
On May 10, after several days of crossborder hostilities, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan called his Indian counterpart to propose a ceasefire. The agreement was accepted and formally announced that evening by foreign secretary Vikram Misri.
However, the calm was short-lived. Pakistan violated the ceasefire soon after by launching new drone swarms, which were promptly intercepted and neutralised by Indian forces.
Trump claims credit for brokered ceasefire
US President Donald Trump claimed that the ceasefire was brokered by the United States. Since May 10, Trump has repeatedly taken credit for what he calls a "peace agreement between two nuclear powers."
India launches global outreach over Operation Sindoor
To consolidate international support, the Indian government has launched a massive diplomatic campaign beginning May 23, deploying seven all-party delegations to 25 key global capitals.
A total of 51 political leaders, including sitting MPs and former ministers, and 8 former ambassadors are part of the outreach.
These delegations are visiting nations including permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other influential global players.
Prominent leaders in these delegations include:
- Shashi Tharoor (Congress)
- Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda (BJP)
- Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U)
- Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
- Supriya Sule (NCP-SP)
This step by the Centre aims to present a united Indian stance against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and reaffirm the country's commitment to international peace and security.
PM Modi's stern warning to Pakistan
PM Modi, during a public rally in Rajasthan's Bikaner on Thursday, delivered a strong message on national security, counterterrorism, and India’s stance on Pakistan. Referring to the recent counterterror action under Operation Sindoor in retaliation of Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, he said India had given its armed forces a “free hand,” which led to a swift and decisive strike in early hours of May 7.
“In response to the attacks on the 22nd, within just 22 minutes, our forces destroyed nine of the biggest terrorist bases,” PM Modi said. “The enemies of India, both within and outside, have now seen what happens when sindoor turns into gunpowder,” (jab sindoor barood ban jata hai, to kya nateeja hota hai.)
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