Indian, Pakistani protesters wave Israeli, Palestinian flags during London protests

Following the attack, protests erupted in London and other cities in the UK among the Indian and Pakistani diaspora communities.

 Indian protesters waving an Israeli-Hostage flag at demonstrations in London, April 26, 2025. (photo credit: Canva, SCREENSHOT/X, SHUTTERSTOCK)
Indian protesters waving an Israeli-Hostage flag at demonstrations in London, April 26, 2025.
(photo credit: Canva, SCREENSHOT/X, SHUTTERSTOCK)

Israeli and Palestinian flags were spotted at demonstrations on Saturday in London between Indian and Pakistani diasporas, following the Islamist terror attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which killed 26 people on Tuesday.

Following the attack, protests erupted in London and other cities in the UK among the diaspora communities.

Unrest between the two communities in the UK has occurred in recent years with a series of brawls and riots between Hindu and Muslim rioters, which some analysts linked to India's defeat of Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cricket Cup.

Tensions were further enflamed when a Pakistani diplomat was seen making a throat-slitting gesture at protesters, which the Times of India identified as a senior Pakistani Army officer.

 A man, who was injured in a suspected militant attack near scenic Pahalgam, receives treatment in a hospital in south Kashmir’s Anantnag April 22, 2025  (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)
A man, who was injured in a suspected militant attack near scenic Pahalgam, receives treatment in a hospital in south Kashmir’s Anantnag April 22, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Enflaming old tensions

The attack sparked serious diplomatic tensions between the South Asian states, with the Modi government blaming the Pakistani government for the attack. Indian police announced that two of the three suspects were Pakistani nationals.

This led to a serious enflaming of tensions, mutual visa cancellations, and India unilaterally abrogating the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, with Indian Water Resources Minister CR Paatil saying "not even a drop" of water would go to Pakistan.

The treaty regulates the water usage of several rivers that feed into the Indus River, which runs through Pakistan and is its primary source of water.

Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft and suspending all trade.

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire for at least two days, which is still ongoing, with the Indian Army blaming Pakistani troops for sporadic fire around midnight on Thursday.

Reuters contributed to this report.