A massive explosion rocked the Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday, April 26, injuring 406 people, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The agency had earlier reported 281 injuries, citing Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesperson for Iran’s National Emergency Organization, before the toll surged as more victims were identified.

The blast occurred at the Rajaei port, a critical hub for container shipments handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually. Videos circulating on social media captured thick black smoke rising from the site, while others showed shattered windows in buildings several kilometers away, underscoring the explosion’s intensity.

Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the blast. While Iran frequently experiences industrial accidents, particularly at its aging oil facilities strained by international sanctions, state television explicitly ruled out any involvement of energy infrastructure in this incident. Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told state TV that first responders were working to access the affected area, while efforts were underway to evacuate the site. He noted that the explosion originated from containers at the port but provided no further details. State TV also reported a building collapse triggered by the blast, though specifics remain scarce.

Located 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for 20% of global oil trade—the Rajaei port’s strategic importance amplifies concerns about the incident. The explosion coincided with ongoing diplomatic talks in Oman between Iran and the United States, marking their third round of negotiations over Tehran’s accelerating nuclear program, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.

As rescue operations continue, the rising injury toll and lack of clarity about the blast’s cause have heightened anxiety in Iran, with authorities under pressure to provide answers and ensure the safety of those affected. The incident underscores the challenges faced by Iran’s critical infrastructure and the broader implications for regional stability amid delicate international discussions.

A major counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir has led to the elimination of Junaid Ahmed Bhatt, a high-ranking Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist involved in orchestrating a series of deadly attacks including the recent massacre in Sonamarg. Bhatt, classified as an ‘A+ category’ militant and originally from Kulgam, was gunned down by security forces during an encounter in Dachigam in December 2024.

Module operated under Lashkar leadership

Bhatt was a pivotal figure in a Lashkar-e-Taiba module that, according to intelligence reports, functions under the direct command of Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and his deputy Saifullah, both believed to be operating from Pakistani soil. The group reportedly receives not only ideological motivation but also strategic support from Pakistan’s military establishment and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

While the module includes a majority of foreign operatives, several local elements and overground workers from the Kashmir Valley assist the network by providing shelter and logistical support. Following coordinated attacks, the group’s operatives often go underground, using forest cover to evade security operations until fresh instructions arrive from handlers across the border.

Brutality of Pahalgam attack unveiled

The group’s involvement came into focus after the chilling Pahalgam attack, where terrorists targeted civilians at three different locations in the scenic Baisaran valley. In the gruesome assault, five people were shot dead at a single spot, two were gunned down in an open field, and more were targeted near a fenced enclosure. Survivors recounted that the attackers even engaged them in short conversations before opening fire, pointing to a calculated and cold-blooded execution.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches of three suspects in the case. Two of them, identified as Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha, are believed to be Pakistani nationals, while the third, Abdul Hussain Thokar, is a local from Anantnag. Authorities have announced a cash reward of ₹20 lakh for credible leads aiding in their arrest. A suspected hideout used by the module has also been uncovered in forested terrain nearby.

High-level security response and diplomatic measures

In response to the escalating threat, India’s top security panel—the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)—held an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The panel, which included senior figures like Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, rolled out a series of stringent countermeasures.

From May 1, both India and Pakistan will downsize their diplomatic missions, slashing staff numbers from 55 to 30. Military and intelligence personnel from Pakistan stationed at its High Commission in Delhi have been ordered to leave India within a week, while Indian representatives in Islamabad will also be withdrawn.

Further, the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals has been suspended, and all existing visas under this provision have been revoked. Pakistani citizens residing in India under the scheme have been directed to exit the country by May 1. The Attari-Wagah border crossing has also been closed indefinitely. India has additionally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.

Massive protests were witnessed outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, as demonstrators demanded justice and accountability. Demonstrations have also spread across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India, underlining the widespread public outrage against the Pahalgam attack.

India has officially suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, citing continued cross-border terrorism as the key reason. The decision was communicated on Thursday evening through a formal letter sent by the Union Ministry of Water Resources to Pakistan’s Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtuza.

The treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, had survived multiple wars and diplomatic stand-offs between the two nations. The latest move follows the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 tourists were gunned down by militants in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has triggered a series of non-military retaliatory measures by India.

India cites changing realities and treaty breaches

The letter emphasized that honoring a treaty in good faith is a fundamental obligation, but that has been undermined by sustained cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan, specifically targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

It further stated that several fundamental changes have occurred since the treaty’s execution — including shifts in population demographics, clean energy priorities, and altered assumptions around water-sharing. India accused Pakistan of failing to engage in negotiations despite repeated requests, thereby breaching key provisions of the treaty.

Home ministry to hold high-level meet on treaty decision

A key meeting to review the implications of the suspension is scheduled at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence, with Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and other senior ministers expected to participate. The decision was finalized during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This marks the first time India has suspended the treaty — a bold move even amid previous crises, signaling a shift in New Delhi’s approach to bilateral water diplomacy.

Pakistan reacts strongly, warns of consequences

Pakistan responded with a sharp warning, stating that any attempt to block or divert Indus waters would be treated as an “act of war.” Islamabad also announced retaliatory measures: reducing Indian diplomatic presence, closing airspace to Indian flights, shutting the Wagah border, and expelling Indian Defence, Naval, and Air Advisers from Islamabad.

The Indus River system is vital to Pakistan’s agriculture, electricity production, and drinking water — making the treaty’s suspension a significant setback.

Pahalgam attack at the center of escalation

The diplomatic flashpoint originated from the terror attack in Pahalgam, where gunmen linked to a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran area, killing 26 people. Often referred to as “mini Switzerland,” the scenic spot turned into a tragedy site, prompting public outrage and swift government action.

India responded by cancelling all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, including medical visas, and closed the Attari-Wagah border. While there was no immediate military retaliation discussed, past responses like surgical strikes and air raids following the Uri and Pulwama attacks keep that option open.

In a speech in Bihar’s Madhubani, Prime Minister Modi vowed to track and punish those responsible for the Pahalgam attack. He declared that terrorism will not go unpunished and justice will be pursued to the “ends of the earth.”