Diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and China have reportedly sent their families back to their respective countries from Pakistan, as tensions between India and Pakistan intensify following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The move signals growing international concern over the potential for further escalation in the region.
The decision comes in the wake of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists, were killed in the Baisaran Valley. India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, pointing to the involvement of the Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan has denied these allegations, but the incident has triggered a severe diplomatic crisis, with both nations downgrading ties, suspending trade, closing borders, and revoking visa agreements. India also announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to warn that such a move could be considered an “act of war.”
Sources indicate that the evacuation of diplomats’ families reflects heightened security concerns, particularly in light of Pakistan’s Defense Ministry warning of an “imminent” Indian military incursion and ongoing skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC). The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and India have issued updated travel advisories, with the U.S. State Department elevating its warning for Jammu and Kashmir to Level 4: “Do Not Travel,” citing risks of terrorism and civil unrest. Russia and Canada have also urged caution for travelers to Pakistan.
The international community, including the United Nations, has called for “maximum restraint” and diplomatic dialogue to prevent further deterioration. However, analysts warn that the nuclear-armed neighbors’ history of conflict over Kashmir, combined with recent military posturing—such as India’s naval missile tests and Pakistan’s reinforcement of border defenses—raises the stakes for a potential confrontation.
While the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi reaffirmed its support for India’s counterterrorism efforts, President Donald Trump downplayed the crisis, stating that the two nations “had that fight for 1,500 years,” a comment that drew criticism for misrepresenting the timeline of the Kashmir dispute, which began in 1947. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has advocated for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, while maintaining its call for de-escalation.
