Tensions Escalate as Pakistan and India Exchange Fire in Kashmir

For the third consecutive night, Pakistani and Indian forces engaged in gunfire in the contested Kashmir region, officials reported on Sunday. This recent escalation has brought relations between the two nuclear powers to a concerning low point in recent years.

India has accused Pakistan of backing “cross-border terrorism” following a devastating attack on civilians in the disputed Muslim-majority Kashmir, marking the worst such incident in 25 years.

Islamabad has refuted these claims, dismissing the attempts to link Pakistan to the assault as “unsubstantiated” and pledging to retaliate against any Indian measures.

Indian security personnel have initiated a broad search operation to apprehend those responsible for the deaths of 26 individuals at a tourist location in Pahalgam on April 22.

On Sunday, the Indian military asserted that Pakistani forces had initiated “unprovoked” firing with small arms along the Line of Control, which divides the two nations.

They added that their own forces responded effectively by returning small arms fire in a measured manner.

As of now, Pakistan has not verified the latest exchange of fire.

Indian law enforcement has released wanted notices for three individuals, alleging their affiliation with the Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

India’s federal home ministry has entrusted the inquiry into the attack to the National Investigation Agency, which specializes in counter-terrorism efforts.

The agency is currently interviewing eyewitnesses, thoroughly examining entry and exit routes, and gathering forensic data.

According to a statement, the investigators are carefully questioning eyewitnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events in what is considered one of the most severe terror attacks in Kashmir.

Houses Destroyed

Since their independence in 1947, Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan. Both countries assert complete sovereignty over the area but administer separate parts.

On Saturday, in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, soldiers detonated the family residence of one of the Pahalgam suspects.

The home of Farooq Ahmad Tadwa in the Kupwara district was destroyed by authorities, representing one of several demolitions targeting the residences of suspected militants.

According to a police official who spoke to the media anonymously on Sunday, nine homes have been bombed since the Pahalgam incident.

Following the attack in Occupied Kashmir, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing agreement, declared the primary land border crossing with Pakistan closed, reduced diplomatic relations, and canceled visas for Pakistani citizens.

In response, Islamabad has mandated the departure of Indian diplomats and military advisors, nullified visas for Indian citizens (excluding Sikh pilgrims), and shut down the main border crossing from its side.

The United Nations has called on both sides to exercise utmost restraint to ensure that problems are resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual dialogue.

Analysts suggest that a military response from India remains a possibility.

According to the Indian Express, a high-ranking government source stated on Sunday that military retaliation is expected, and the nature of the strike is under discussion.

In 2019, a suicide bombing resulted in the deaths of 41 Indian soldiers in Kashmir, which prompted Indian airstrikes within Pakistan and brought the two nations to the edge of a full-scale war.