Kashmir Tensions Flare: India and Pakistan Exchange Fire After Deadly Attack
Kashmir Tensions Boil Over
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Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with both countries exchanging fire along the Line of Control (LOC), the de facto border separating them in the disputed region of Kashmir. This comes after a deadly attack on a resort in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Tuesday, which killed at least 26 people.
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Who’s Blaming Whom?
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India’s army claims Pakistan initiated the firing, while a Pakistani official confirmed the exchange but didn’t specify who started it. It’s unclear exactly where the firing took place along the LOC, but reports say two people were also wounded in a separate incident in Bandipora.
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Deadly Attack and Diplomatic Fallout
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The attack in Pahalgam was the deadliest in a quarter-century in the region. A group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. India has offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the three suspects involved.
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The incident triggered a diplomatic row between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India pulled out of the Indus Waters Treaty, and Pakistan retaliated by halting a canal irrigation project and shutting its airspace to Indian airlines. These actions have pushed relations between the countries to a new low.
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Pakistan Denies Involvement, India Promises Retribution
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Pakistan’s Defence Minister has strongly denied any involvement in the attack, calling India’s accusations baseless. He emphasized that Pakistan is committed to peace but will defend its sovereignty against any aggression.
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Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to hunt down the gunmen “to the ends of the Earth.” India’s army chief is visiting Pahalgam to review security arrangements, and authorities are intensifying their crackdown on media outlets, detaining and questioning people suspected of having links to the attack.
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Fear and Uncertainty Linger
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Residents in Pahalgam are living in fear, worried about being caught in the crossfire. The situation remains tense as both countries stand ready to retaliate.
