Big story of the week: Targeting Kashmir - Unpacking the Motives and Aftermath of the Pahalgam Attack

This report analyzes a terrorist attack near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which tragically killed 26 people and injured over 20. It explores the attack's timeline, location, and perpetrators, focusing on the suspected involvement of The Resistance Front (TRF), potentially linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistani nationals, with opposition to demographic changes cited as a motive. The text details the immediate aftermath, including rescue efforts, a security crackdown by Indian forces, and a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, marked by the suspension of treaties and border closures. Finally, the report discusses the long-term consequences, predicting severe impacts on tourism, further strained India-Pakistan relations, and challenges to regional security.