Cross-LoC Firing Erupts: Pakistan Military Initiates Unprovoked Shelling; India Retaliates

Unfolding Crisis: The Saga of the Pahalgam Terror Attack

In the midst of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Army reported an unprovoked small arms fire incident from Pakistani Army posts across the Line of Control (LoC) on the night of 26-27 April in Tutmari Gali and Rampur Sectors. This development comes in the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

The climate along the LoC remains tense as security forces ramp up anti-terror operations in the Kashmir valley post the Pahalgam terror attack. reflecting the ominous repercussions of the attack. The Indian Army has reportedly responded effectively to the unprovoked attack.

While India grapples with the aftermath of the terror attack, efforts to retaliate continue. For instance, the house of an active terrorist, Adnan Shafi of Wandina, Zainapora, was destroyed by security forces. Shafi had joined the terrorist organization a year ago. Previously, the house of a suspect in the Pahalgam terrorist attack had been demolished by authorities.

Kulgam Police, in collaboration with the Army and CRPF, arrested two suspected terrorist associates and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in South Kashmir's Kulgam district. The individuals in question were intercepted at Matalhama Chowk Thokerpora, Qaimoh, and were identified as Bilal Ahmad Bhat and Mohd Ismail Bhat, both residents of Thokerpora, Qaimoh.

Looking Back: The Saga of Indo-Pak Relations

The fraught Indo-Pak relationship, marked by historical and political context, terrorism, and mutual accusations of supporting insurgents and militants, has festered since the partition of British India in 1947. The primary cause of contention remains the Kashmir conflict, with Pakistan-backed militant groups causing unrest in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Moreover, Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been behind numerous deadly attacks on Indian soil. The LeT, with ideological roots in Islamist Salafi jihadism and historical backing from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, continue to operate despite official bans. Post 2019, the Resistance Front (TRF) emerged as a proxy group for LeT, escalating insurgent activities in Kashmir.

Adding to the complexity, internal Pakistani military and political dynamics have played a pivotal role in the escalating tension. The military under Chief Asim Munir has emphasized Kashmir as Pakistan’s "jugular vein," potentially motivating support or tolerance for militant operations against India to reassert influence. The attack also coincided with a US Vice President’s visit to India, raising concerns of diplomatic pressure.

The Toll of the Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Timeline

The deadly Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 has reignited tensions and marked a continuation of a cycle of violence between India and Pakistan. Here's a summary of the key events leading up to and following the attack:

Background: Since the late 2010s, militant attacks and insurgent activities in Kashmir intensified following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. TRF rose to prominence during this period, overtaking older groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed as primary claimants of attacks.
April 22, 2025 – Pahalgam Terror Attack: A terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, targeted Indian tourists, killing 26 people.
Immediate Aftermath: The attack triggered severe military tensions between India and Pakistan and prompted diplomatic strain. The attack has raised fears of a broader conflict reminiscent of prior escalations, such as the 1999 Kargil war.
Regional and International Reactions: The attack, coinciding with US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India, drew international attention to the Kashmir dispute. The US and other global actors called for restraint while expressing concerns about Pakistan’s military's role in fostering instability in the region.

In conclusion, the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 reinforces the deeply rooted tensions between India and Pakistan over the historical Kashmir conflict, militant proxy warfare, and internal Pakistani military-political dynamics. The ongoing violence underpinned by decades of mistrust and conflict underscores the risks of escalation and the need for diplomatic and military caution on both sides.

The Pahalgam attack, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident in the region, as it occurs within the broader context of the ongoing Kashmir conflict, a primary source of strife between India and Pakistan.
The Kashmir valley, in particular, has been witnessing an increase in security rounds due to the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, pointing towards a heightened sense of permanence and severity in the repercussions of such incidents.
As neighboring Pakistan continues to grapple with the repercussions of its domestic politics and military dynamics, accusations of supporting insurgents and militants persist, further complicating the already fraught relationship between the two nations.
Amid intensifying tensions along the Line of Control, the coverage of the Pahalgam terror attack has expanded beyond general news, penetrating the realms of politics, security, and crime-and-justice in both national and international reports.