Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged dramatically, with cross-border gunfire reported for the third consecutive night in disputed Kashmir. The flare-up comes in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack—the deadliest on civilians in the region in over 25 years—which left 26 people dead.
India has blamed Pakistan for backing “cross-border terrorism,” pointing fingers at the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group. Islamabad has firmly denied any link to the attack, calling New Delhi’s claims “frivolous” and warning it will respond if provoked.
As the situation heats up, Indian security forces have launched a wide-scale manhunt for the attackers. Investigators from the National Investigation Agency are combing through eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence to piece together what happened in the tourist-heavy area of Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two nations, has turned volatile. Indian officials allege that Pakistani troops initiated “unprovoked” small-arms fire, prompting a retaliatory response. Pakistan has yet to confirm the recent skirmishes.
Inside Indian-administered Kashmir, authorities have demolished nine homes allegedly linked to militants, including the residence of a suspect in Kupwara. Human rights concerns are rising amid these heavy-handed tactics.
The fallout extends beyond the battlefield. India has suspended a key water-sharing treaty, downgraded diplomatic ties, revoked visas for Pakistani citizens, and closed the main land border crossing. In turn, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and shut down the same crossing from its side—except for Sikh pilgrims.
As global concern mounts, the United Nations has called for “maximum restraint” and urged both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue. But with Indian officials reportedly planning a military response, the region teeters on the edge of a dangerous escalation—echoing the near-war crisis after the 2019 Pulwama attack.
