India-Pakistan relations teeter on edge following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing 26 tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vow to pursue perpetrators “to the ends of the earth” sparks speculation of a Balakot-style surgical strike.

Military preparations intensify as both nations flex their might, raising fears of escalation between nuclear powers.

Indian forces reportedly began war preparations after Modi’s statement on April 24, 2025. Artillery drills in Rajasthan’s desert, near Pakistan’s border, signal readiness for conflict.

Indian media including ABP Ananda reports these exercises as a direct response to the Pahalgam attack. Indian Navy also tested a low-flying missile defense system from INS Surat, successfully intercepting a target bolstering its defensive capabilities.

Pakistan denies involvement in the Pahalgam attack, with Islamabad issuing a missile test notice for April 24-26, 2025, in its Exclusive Economic Zone near Karachi. Pakistan’s Navy plans to test a 350 km-range ballistic missile, escalating tensions. Pakistan’s Air Force is on high alert, with AWACS and F-16 deployments reported near Lahore and Rawalpindi – Al Jazeera.

India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed its main border crossing with Pakistan, prompting Pakistan to label these moves “childish.” Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar vowed a “befitting reply,” while Modi’s rhetoric fuels calls for retaliation.

Indian media draws parallels to the 2019 Balakot airstrike, which followed the Pulwama attack, though Pakistan’s capture of an Indian pilot then highlighted risks of escalation.

While India’s 2019 Balakot airstrike targeted alleged militant hideouts, its success remains debated. Pakistan’s denial of significant damage and its downing of an Indian jet underscored the stakes.

Current Indian Air Force activity, including tri-service drills, suggests a possible air or ground operation, though no official confirmation exists. Pakistan’s military buildup, including HIMADS and LOMADS deployments, indicates preparedness for retaliation.

The international community watches anxiously. Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Pahalgam attack, while Pakistan urges de-escalation but warns of a “hard response” to any Indian “misadventure.” With both nations testing missiles—India’s anti-ship ballistic missile (1,000 km range) and Pakistan’s naval missile—diplomatic efforts are crucial to avert conflict.