Ejoo writer
India and Pakistan Continue Exchange of Fire Amid Rising Tensions
Ongoing Violence in Disputed Kashmir
Occupied Srinagar — Indian and Pakistani troops have been exchanging gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region of Kashmir for three consecutive nights, officials confirmed on Sunday. This violent standoff comes as relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors fall to one of their lowest points in many years.
Kashmir, a region divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, remains a major source of conflict. Both countries claim the region in full but control separate parts. Tensions in Kashmir have often led to deadly clashes, and the latest events have further increased the risk of a wider conflict.
The Deadly Attack That Sparked the New Crisis
The recent violence follows a brutal attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. On April 22, gunmen killed 26 civilians at a popular tourist site in Pahalgam. This attack was the deadliest targeting civilians in the region in more than 25 years.
India quickly accused Pakistan of backing the attackers, blaming its neighbor for promoting “cross-border terrorism.” According to Indian officials, the attack shows that militants continue to receive support from Pakistan-based groups.
Pakistan strongly denied the accusations, calling them “frivolous.” Islamabad stressed that it had no involvement and warned that any aggressive actions by India would be met with an appropriate response.
India’s Military Shows Strength
In response to the attack, India’s military launched a series of actions to show its strength. The Indian Navy conducted major drills, releasing images of warships firing missiles into the sea. These exercises were meant to “revalidate and demonstrate readiness for long-range precision offensive strikes,” according to the Indian Navy.
Meanwhile, security forces on the ground intensified their hunt for the attackers. Indian soldiers increased patrols in Kashmir, conducted raids, and worked to track down those behind the Pahalgam attack.
The Indian Army also reported that Pakistani forces initiated “unprovoked” small arms fire along the LoC. Indian troops, according to official statements, “responded effectively” with their own small arms fire to protect their positions.
Search for Suspects Intensifies
Indian police issued wanted posters for three suspects linked to the attack. Two of them are believed to be Pakistani nationals, while one is reportedly Indian. All three are alleged members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group based in Pakistan and listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations.
The investigation into the attack has been handed over to India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), a specialized counter-terrorism body.
“The eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events,” the NIA said in a statement on Sunday.
Pakistan Offers to Cooperate
Amid growing accusations, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a diplomatic move. He stated that Pakistan is willing to participate in “any neutral, transparent, and credible investigation” into the Pahalgam attack.
Sharif emphasized that Pakistan is committed to peace and does not support terrorist activities. However, tensions remain high, and both sides are continuing to prepare for possible escalation.
India Considers Retaliation
While Pakistan called for dialogue, Indian leaders hinted at possible military retaliation. According to a report by The Indian Express, a senior government source revealed that there “will be military retaliation” and that officials are discussing “the nature of the strike.”
India’s leadership, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has taken a strong stance on national security. In previous incidents, India has not hesitated to use military force in response to attacks, including the 2019 air strikes following a deadly suicide bombing in Kashmir.
Historical Context: Kashmir’s Long-standing Conflict
Kashmir’s troubles go back to the partition of British India in 1947. As India and Pakistan became independent nations, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir chose to join India, sparking the first Indo-Pakistani war. Since then, the region has been a flashpoint for two more wars and countless skirmishes.
Since 1989, an insurgency has raged in Indian-administered Kashmir, with various militant groups demanding either independence or union with Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, while Pakistan maintains that it only provides moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri cause.
The population of Kashmir, mostly Muslim, often feels caught in the middle of the conflict, suffering displacement, loss of life, and economic hardship.
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Modi Vows Justice for Pahalgam Victims
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation during his monthly radio program, pledging justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
“Terrorists and their patrons want Kashmir to be destroyed again, that is why such a big conspiracy was hatched,” Modi said.
He assured the families of the victims that those responsible would be punished and that India’s resolve against terrorism remained firm.
Crackdown on Suspected Militants
Following the attack, Indian authorities launched a harsh crackdown on suspected militants. On Saturday, Indian soldiers demolished the family home of Farooq Ahmad Tadwa, a man believed to be linked to the Pahalgam attack. His home in Kupwara district was destroyed by explosives.
According to a police official, nine homes belonging to suspected militants have been demolished since the attack. While the government says these demolitions are aimed at weakening militant networks, human rights groups have criticized them, arguing that collective punishment could worsen tensions among the local population.
Diplomatic Fallout: Actions and Reactions
Beyond the battlefield, the attack has had serious diplomatic consequences. India took several immediate actions:
Suspended a long-standing water-sharing treaty with Pakistan.
Closed the main land border crossing between the two countries.
Downgraded diplomatic relations by reducing embassy staff.
Canceled visas for Pakistani citizens, preventing travel to India.
Pakistan responded with similar measures:
Expelled Indian diplomats and military advisers.
Canceled visas for Indian nationals, except for Sikh pilgrims.
Closed its side of the main border crossing.
These tit-for-tat moves have disrupted people-to-people ties and halted various economic and cultural exchanges that had slowly been improving over the years.
United Nations Appeals for Calm
The United Nations has called on both countries to show “maximum restraint” to avoid a wider conflict. In a statement, UN officials urged India and Pakistan to work through their disagreements peacefully, encouraging “meaningful mutual engagement” to resolve the Kashmir issue.
The UN and other international organizations worry that any misstep between the two nuclear-armed states could have devastating consequences, not just for South Asia but for global security.
Shifting Pattern of Attacks
The Pahalgam attack marks a change in the pattern of violence in Kashmir. Previously, militant attacks usually targeted Indian security forces. However, the Pahalgam attack was different—it directly targeted civilians, including women and children visiting a tourist spot. This has sparked additional fear and anger among the public.
Experts believe that targeting civilians may be an attempt by militant groups to create larger unrest and fear across the region, drawing global attention to the Kashmir conflict once again.
Lessons from the Past: The 2019 Pulwama Attack
The recent events have drawn comparisons to the 2019 Pulwama attack, where a suicide bomber killed 41 Indian soldiers. That attack led to Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan and retaliatory action by Pakistan’s military, bringing the two countries dangerously close to a full-scale war.
In both cases, India blamed Pakistan-based groups, and Pakistan denied involvement. International powers, including the United States, China, and Russia, had to step in to calm tensions.
The parallels between 2019 and today raise fears that history might repeat itself unless both countries find a way to step back from confrontation.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for India and Pakistan?
The situation remains extremely fragile. Both India and Pakistan are taking hardline stances, and domestic political pressures in both countries make it difficult for leaders to appear “soft” on security issues.
If India follows through with military retaliation, even limited strikes could lead to a dangerous cycle of escalation. At the same time, neither country wants to be seen as weak, especially in the run-up to important elections and political events.
Diplomatic channels remain open, but trust is very low. The involvement of neutral international bodies or mediators could help, but both India and Pakistan have historically resisted outside interference in the Kashmir issue.
The coming days and weeks will be crucial. The choices made now could determine whether this latest flare-up ends in further tragedy—or opens a narrow path toward peace.
