An attack on tourists in India's Himalayan territory of Kashmir this week sparked a new crisis between nuclear armed South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan, with New Delhi blaming militants with "cross-border linkages" for the killings.

Pakistan called India's actions “irresponsible" and canceled visas for Indian nationals, suspended all trade with India and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft.

India has hit Pakistan with a raft of mostly symbolic diplomatic measures after a deadly attack it blames on its arch-rival, but analysts warn a military response may yet come. Pakistan held a rare national security meeting on Thursday after New Delhi's punitive diplomatic measures.