The already strained relationship between India and Pakistan has deteriorated sharply following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in April. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, has triggered a series of escalating actions, bringing the two nuclear-armed nations to the brink of war.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, India has adopted a significantly stronger stance towards Pakistan, indicating a shift in its strategic approach. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of supporting and harboring anti-India militant groups, and this latest incident has further fueled those accusations.

Following the attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" in early May, conducting missile strikes on what it claimed were terrorist infrastructure sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India has conveyed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members that its actions were a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasizing Pakistan's alleged support for terrorist groups.

In response to India's strikes, Pakistan has vehemently denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and condemned India's actions as an "act of war". Islamabad has accused India of killing civilians, including women and children, and has vowed to retaliate. Pakistan's military has also claimed to have shot down Indian military jets, though this remains unconfirmed.

The situation has escalated further with both sides accusing each other of launching drone and airstrikes against military facilities. There have been reports of heavy artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in civilian casualties on both sides. Amidst these escalating tensions, there are also reports of cyberattacks, with the PSX (Pakistan Stock Exchange) taking a record plunge amidst security unrest.

India has also taken economic measures, including suspending its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a move that Pakistan considers an act of war. Both countries have expelled diplomats and nationals, closed airspace to each other's airlines, and suspended trade.

The international community has expressed serious concern over the escalating tensions and has called for de-escalation. However, with both sides坚守各自立场and engaging in retaliatory actions, the risk of a full-blown conflict remains high.

The situation has fundamentally altered India-Pakistan relations, with India establishing a "new normal" of directly targeting terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan in response to attacks. This represents a departure from previous strategies that relied on diplomatic and economic pressure. The emerging status quo is riskier, and Pakistan may continue to provoke India with terror attacks. The conflict has the potential to draw in other regional and international actors, further complicating the situation.