The Indian government has reportedly dismissed Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar from his position as Commander of the Northern Command after he declined to initiate immediate military action against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam false flag incident.
According to Indian media reports, the Modi-led administration had instructed Lieutenant General Kumar to undertake retaliatory operations following the April 22 Pahalgam shooting, which resulted in 26 fatalities and several injuries. However, the senior officer is said to have adopted a more cautious approach, choosing not to escalate tensions — a decision that ultimately led to his removal from command.
Rising Internal Strife in Indian Army
In a separate development, reports indicate that five Sikh soldiers were killed during a confrontation between two units of the Indian Army in the Baramulla district of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, the clash involved two units primarily comprising Brahmin and Sikh personnel, highlighting possible internal discord within the Indian armed forces.
Defense analysts have interpreted the incident as a sign of growing disarray and morale issues within India’s military ranks. The deaths of the Sikh soldiers have sparked widespread anger within the Sikh community, raising questions about sectarian harmony within the armed forces.
The Pahalgam Incident and Fallout
The tensions stem from the April 22 attack in the Pahalgam region of Kashmir, where unidentified gunmen opened fire at a tourist spot, killing 26 and injuring over a dozen. Without a comprehensive investigation, the Indian government swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack, in line with its past practices.
In a controversial move, India also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty — a longstanding water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960 — as part of its reaction to the incident.
Pakistan has vehemently denied involvement and has called for impartial international investigations. Islamabad also warned that any Indian military misadventure would be met with a firm and historic response.
