A hot war is unlikely following the Pahalgam attack but any missteps could change that, writes Michael Kugelman.

A deadly attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir last week has plunged relations between India and Pakistan to new lows, with both sides hinting at imminent military action.

After a suicide bomb attack on troops in Indian-administered Kashmir at Pulwama in 2019, Gen Bajwa oversaw Pakistan's military response to Indian air raids but refrained from escalation, returning Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman and helping avert a full-blown war.