ISTANBUL

Indian police said Saturday they detained 175 individuals across the Anantnag district in Indian-administered Kashmir, where unidentified gunmen killed 26 people earlier this week.

Police announced that extensive search and cordon operations were launched throughout the district.

The attack has fueled a sharp escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India, alleging cross-border links to the assault, took sweeping retaliatory measures -- suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical 1960 water-sharing pact, expelling Pakistani diplomats, canceling Pakistani visas, and tightening media controls.

Islamabad strongly rejected the allegations, responding by expelling Indian diplomats, suspending visas for Indians, closing its airspace, and halting trade, including transactions routed through third countries. Pakistan also suspended the 1972 Simla Accord, a key framework agreement designed to manage bilateral disputes.

Pakistan warned that any attempt by India to divert or block the flow of water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be regarded as an "act of war," stressing that the pact cannot be unilaterally suspended.

Meanwhile, India's Information Ministry issued an advisory prohibiting media channels from broadcasting live coverage of defense operations or the movement of security forces, citing "national security" concerns.

Kashmir has been at the heart of the conflict between India and Pakistan, with both claiming it in full but ruling it in part.

*Ahmad Adil in New Delhi contributed to this report.