Pakistan's Retaliatory Measures: Airspace Closure and Trade Suspension with India Post-Pahalgam Attack
IIE DIGITAL DESK : Escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, Islamabad has taken decisive actions in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, including 24 Indian tourists and one Nepali national.
The attack, carried out by the militant group Kashmir Resistance, an affiliate of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam. In retaliation, India downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan, expelling Pakistani diplomats and suspending the Indus Water Treaty.
Pakistan's response has been swift and impactful. The country announced the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft, effectively grounding flights between the two nations. This move has disrupted air travel and is expected to have significant economic repercussions.
Additionally, Pakistan has suspended all trade relations with India, halting the movement of goods across the border. This suspension is likely to affect various sectors, including agriculture, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, which rely on cross-border trade.
These actions by Pakistan are seen as a direct response to India's diplomatic measures and are indicative of the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The international community has expressed concern over the potential for further escalation and has called for restraint from both sides.
As the situation develops, both countries are bracing for the long-term implications of these measures. The closure of airspace and suspension of trade are expected to strain bilateral relations further and could have lasting effects on regional stability.
The Pahalgam attack has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the challenges in maintaining peace between India and Pakistan. With both nations taking assertive actions, the path to de-escalation remains uncertain.
In the coming days, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a return to dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
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