Cross-border skirmishes occur between India and Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region, following a deterioration in tensions.
Tempers flare in Kashmir as India and Pakistan exchange gunfire, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors to levels not seen in over two decades.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation after India launched a deadly missile attack on Pakistani soil, following days of repeated gunfire and artillery shelling along their disputed border. "We will avenge each drop of blood spilled," Sharif declared in a rallying address to the nation.
India claimed responsibility for the destruction of nine "terrorist camps" in Pakistan, asserting they had carried out "focused, measured and non-escalatory" strikes, only two weeks after New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing an attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Regrettably, over 40 lives have been lost following the escalation of violence, including innocent children. While India reported 13 civilian deaths and a soldier, Pakistan claimed 31 civilians died in cross-border strikes and firing.
Controversially, Pakistan's military alleged they shot down five Indian jets during the skirmish, but New Delhi has not yet responded to these claims. An unnamed Indian senior security source, however, acknowledged three of their fighter jets suffered crashes within territory.
Tragedy struck in Poonch, on the Indian side of the frontier, as two children were killed by indiscriminate mortar fire. Witnesses spoke of the horror, describing the sight of terrified children fleeing their homes, only to fall victim to explosive shrapnel.
Meanwhile, families in Muzaffarabad, the main city of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, were left homeless after Indian shelling devastated their homes. Muhammad Riaz and his family were among the displaced, pleading for help and restoration.
Tensions between India and Pakistan boil over periodically, harkening back to the time of British rule, when arbitrary borders were hastily drawn, splitting communities apart and igniting communal strife. Muslin-majority Kashmir has been a constant flashpoint, serving as the heart of the ongoing feud.
The latest intensification of hostilities began in response to a terror attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 people dead, most of whom were Hindu men. India accused Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba of orchestrating the attack, a charge Pakistan denies.
With Pakistan threatening retaliation, India remains on high alert and has prepared for any possible escalation of conflict. Headlines such as "Border districts on high alert" demand attention, as the world watches anxiously to see if Pakistan will fulfill its promise of retaliation.
"India's limited objectives are met," analyst Happymon Jacob asserted, implying that future exchanges may be short-lived. Expectations of Pakistan miliary action are strong, as they aim to save face both domestically and on the international stage. However, it remains uncertain the extent of the retaliation, or how India will respond.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Enrichment Data:
- Conflict: The current India-Pakistan conflict is centered around Kashmir, with both nations laying claim to the contested region since their independence from British rule in 1947.
- Recent Developments: Following months of tensions, there have been missile strikes, artillery exchanges, and claimed downings of military jets between India and Pakistan.
- Casualties: Approximately 40 lives have been claimed in the recent conflict, with the majority being civilians.
- Accusations: India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorism in the region, while Pakistan denies the allegations.
- Global Pressure: World leaders and diplomats are urging both nations to de-escalate tensions and avoid further violence.
Eventual retaliation from Pakistan seems imminent, following the destruction of nine terrorist camps in Pakistan by India, as the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir continues. The latest developments in war-and-conflicts have led to the loss of over 40 lives, including innocent children in Delhi and Muzaffarabad. Politicians such as India's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's Prime Minister have been narrating their narratives to the general-news media, with Sharif vowing retaliation against India while Pakistan's military alleges they shot down five Indian jets during the skirmish, although India has yet to respond to these claims.
