Opinion | Pulwama attacks: how India can respond to Pakistan-based terrorists in wake of Kashmir suicide bombing

As tensions run high between India and Pakistan in the wake of a terror attack on Indian paramilitary personnel in the border state of Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad has written to the United Nations seeking its intervention to “defuse tensions” with New Delhi.

The attack, on February 14, killed at least 41 troopers of India’s Central Reserve Police Force and has led to a major row between the neighbouring countries, especially after Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility.

It has also laid bare deep rifts in the bilateral relationship, which had started on a bright note under the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he invited the heads of state of all countries within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to his inauguration in May 2014.

Since then, ties have gone progressively downhill, due to a string of attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits in places like Gurdaspur, Udhampur, Uri, at the Pathankot Air Force Station and elsewhere in India.

However, this latest attack in Pulwama may just be the straw that broke the camel’s back. It has been squarely condemned by countries around the world, many of whom share New Delhi’s sense of outrage.