If Pakistan denies allegations of fresh assaults by India - Hostile Actions Denied by Pakistan: India Reports Fresh Assaults
The tension between India and Pakistan is reaching boiling points. India reported late last night (local time) that Pakistan had launched air strikes on the Indian-governed part of Kashmir and a military base in the Indian state of Punjab. Pakistan has fiercely denied these allegations, with evidence unavailable at this time.
India's Ministry of Defense claimed that Pakistan had deployed rocket and drone attacks on the Indian-governed part of Kashmir and a military facility near the Punjab border. The threat was neutralized, fortunately without any casualties.
Pakistan stands firm in denial
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected the unfounded and reckless accusations being spread by the Indian media. Pakistan's Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, has also stated that Pakistan did not conduct any attacks on Kashmir or beyond the international border. India and Pakistan each govern separate parts of Kashmir but claim the entire region as their own.
The recent flare-up between the two nuclear powers is believed to have been triggered by a terrorist attack on April 22 in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 individuals, mostly Indian tourists, lost their lives. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of involvement. Islamabad, on the other hand, denies these claims and requests an independent investigation. Over the past few days, skirmishes and tension have escalated considerably. On Wednesday night, India launched attacks on several Pakistani targets.
Media accounts: Panic among residents
Indian media reported that Thursday night's loud explosions triggered fear among residents in Jammu and Kashmir. Air raid sirens could be heard. The "India Today" newspaper reported that a drone hit the airport in the Jammu city, which houses an air force facility. India activated its air defenses. According to former police chief of the union territory, Shesh Paul Vaid, via social media platform X, there was a complete power outage in the border region of the territory, as reported by NDTV. The Indian air defenses reportedly intercepted at least eight enemy rockets.
India alleges strikes on Pakistan's air defenses
During the previous night, India claimed to have struck air defense systems located at several sites within Pakistan, with one in Lahore reportedly destroyed. The military reported that it was responding to Pakistan's attempt to target military sites in northern and western India, including nineteen cities, by utilizing drones and rockets, which were successfully thwarted. In turn, Pakistan reported shooting down 25 Indian drones since the previous night.
International concern around the deteriorating situation
Growing anxiety exists globally concerning the further deterioration of the crisis on the Indian subcontinent. Germany and the other 26 EU member states called on the rival nuclear powers, Pakistan and India, to immediately de-escalate.
Both sides report casualties
According to the Pakistani military, more than 30 individuals were killed, and 57 were injured during Indian attacks. Additionally, one individual was killed, and five sustained injuries, including four soldiers, due to falling debris from the shooting down of Indian drones the previous night. The Indian government reported 16 civilians, including five children, killed by Pakistani artillery fire at the border. One soldier was also reportedly killed, according to the army.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continues mediation talks in New Delhi after a visit to Pakistan: He met with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as reported by Iranian state media. The visit had been planned well in advance, Araghchi stated upon arrival, so economic issues were also discussed. The two countries signed three memorandums of understanding, according to the state news agency IRNA. "Our region needs peace," he added, noting that Iran also seeks to mediate.
The origins of the current conflict can be traced back to the colonial era. In 1947, Britain granted independence to the Indian subcontinent and partitioned it. This led to the creation of Pakistan, a new state for Muslims, alongside predominantly Hindu India. The violent partition continues to sow bitter rivalry to this day. Since gaining independence, the two countries have waged three wars against each other, two of which were over Kashmir.
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Enrichment Data:
- Here is a timeline of the recent escalation in the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan:
- April 22, 2023:
- A gun massacre takes place at a tourist resort in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 tourists and injuries to 17 others.
- The attack was attributed to Kashmir Resistance group, which India claims is backed by Pakistan[1].
- Aftermath of the Massacre:
- India's Response:
- India downgrades diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
- Closes the only operational land border crossing between the two countries.
- Suspends a crucial water-sharing treaty that has remained intact despite previous conflicts[1].
- International Response:
- The Group of Seven (G7) nations urge both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint," warning of a threat to regional stability if military actions escalate further[1].
- The U.S. offers assistance to initiate constructive talks between India and Pakistan to prevent further conflicts, despite initially stating it would not intervene[1].
- Escalation of Military Actions:
- India's Military Strikes:
- India reportedly fires missiles at several Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Murid air base in Chakwal city, and Rafiqui air base in Jhang district[1].
- Pakistan's Retaliation:
- Pakistan claims to have fired missiles in response, targeting Indian military positions.
- The Parliament has passed a resolution on the Commission communication on the European Union's role in the fight against terrorism, expressing concern over the escalating conflict in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
- The recent conflict in Kashmir, following a terrorist attack on April 22, has seen both India and Pakistan conducting drone strikes, according to various reports.
- The air strikes in Kashmir and the alleged deployment of rocket and drone attacks by Pakistan on Indian military facilities have been met with denial by Pakistan's authorities.
- The recent military actions between India and Pakistan have been condemned by global powers, with Germany and the EU member states urging both parties to de-escalate and prevent further war-and-conflicts.
- In the midst of the Kashmir crisis, accusations of baseless politics and crime-and-justice have been levied, with each side accusing the other of instigating the conflict. Furthermore, there have been reports of accidents, such as falling debris from the shooting down of drones, resulting in casualties on both sides.
