India’s Escalating Hostilities: Violations of International Law and Suppression in Kashmir

India’s Escalating Hostilities: Violations of International Law and Suppression in Kashmir

India’s aggression against Pakistan is neither new nor isolated. It is part of a long-standing pattern of hostility. From the illegal occupation of Kashmir to cross-border violations, India has consistently violated international norms and peace agreements. Cross-border violations and disinformation campaigns have become routine. In recent years, India has actively engaged in false-flag operations to justify aggressive policies.

Ifra Raja


These provocations increase the risk of a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed states. The Kashmir dispute is a key example. In 1948, India took the issue to the United Nations. UN Resolution 47 called for a plebiscite to allow Kashmiris to decide their future. Over seventy years have passed, but the resolution remains ignored. In 2019, India revoked Article 370, stripping Kashmir of its special status—a clear breach of UN commitments. Peaceful resistance in Kashmir is often labelled “terrorism” to silence legitimate voices.


International organisations have documented serious human rights abuses in Kashmir. Reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, BBC and Al Jazeera detail cases of torture, illegal detentions and enforced disappearances. Thousands of Kashmiri youths have been targeted. These reports highlight systematic brutality by the Indian government, especially towards Muslims, Kashmiris and Pakistanis and expose ongoing violations of international human rights law.


On April 22, 2025, a brutal attack took place in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 tourists. Indian media claimed all victims were Hindus, but among them were also one Christian and one Muslim. The assailants remain unidentified. As with the Pulwama incident in 2019, India swiftly blamed Pakistan without presenting concrete evidence. The Pakistani government firmly rejected the allegation. Instead of calling for an independent investigation, India began escalating tensions through political and strategic moves.


One of the most concerning actions was India’s attempt to alter the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty. This treaty, a historic water-sharing agreement signed with Pakistan under the mediation of the World Bank, has long been considered a cornerstone of peace between the two countries. By threatening its terms, India is not only undermining bilateral trust but also violating international agreements and norms established to maintain regional stability.


On May 6, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting locations in Pakistan under the claim of striking militant infrastructure. One of the missile strikes hit a mosque in Bahawalpur, resulting in the death of eight civilians, including a child and injuring 38 others. Pakistani authorities condemned the attack, calling it a clear violation of international humanitarian law. Despite civilian casualties, India continued to send surveillance drones into Pakistani airspace, escalating tensions.


These repeated airspace violations led to a military response from Pakistan along the Line of Control. However, Pakistan’s response remained focused on military targets and avoided civilian areas. In contrast, India’s actions directly harmed non-combatants, raising grave concerns about its disregard for civilian life and international norms. Violating Pakistan’s sovereignty, breaching airspace and striking non-military sites not only inflame regional tensions but also undermine the legal and moral framework that governs state conduct during conflicts.


On May 10, 2025, early morning, Pakistan launched Operation Banyan-un-Marsoos in response to Indian strikes. It targeted military sites in Rajasthan and Punjab, downed two Indian jets and intercepted over thirty drones. Precision strikes hit radar and communication posts, avoiding all civilian areas. China, Turkey and Qatar led diplomatic efforts, supported by the UN, US and Saudi Arabia. The scale of Pakistan’s response and rising global pressure pushed India to accept a ceasefire.


India’s one-sided military actions, particularly the missile strikes and continuously sending spy drones into Pakistani territory, were the violations of international law and the United Nations Charter. The provision of lack of concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack and not allowing independent international investigation before launching such strikes sabotage the principles of sovereignty and non-aggression. So targeting civilian areas violate the Geneva Conventions, which protect civilians and unarmed people of a country during armed conflicts


. India is violating sovereignty of Pakistan, doing violence, ignoring the UN resolutions, violating peace agreements and international norms bluntly. International intervention is crucial at this time to avoid further escalation and tension at regional level. The silence of international community over the Indian acts will exaggerate the conflict. India should be accountable for this childish acts that could lead to catastrophic event like nuclear war.


Ifra Bibi student of International relations at National University Of Modern Languages  and currently serving as an intern at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations(KIIR).

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