Pakistan has called for a “neutral” investigation into the killings, saying Islamabad is willing to cooperate and favours peace. Pakistan PM Sharif says “perpetual blame game” between India and his country must come to a halt. Protesters demonstrated outside the Pakistani embassy in Kathmandu to denounce the deadly attack in Pahalgam.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri condemned Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, indicating plans to impose severe costs. India announced diplomatic measures, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and expelled Pakistani military attaches.

An attack on tourists in India's Himalayan territory of Kashmir this week sparked a new crisis between nuclear armed South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan, with New Delhi blaming militants with "cross-border linkages" for the killings.