India and Pakistan's series of tit-for-tat diplomatic and economic moves following a deadly militant attack will heighten the risk of kinetic responses, such as airstrikes or special forces operations, while also fueling domestic unrest due to rising nationalist sentiment in both countries. On April 23-24, India and Pakistan announced a series of sweeping tit-for-tat measures to scale back bilateral ties following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians and injured 17 others. The attack, which took place on April 22 at the Baisaran meadows near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam, is one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Briefing the media on April 23, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that a special security cabinet meeting had confirmed Pakistani links to the attack. In response, the Indian government has taken several steps, including suspending a key river water...
