Fiery Feud: Recent Escalations Between India and Pakistan Over Kashmir
India alleges fresh assaults; Pakistan denies such occurrences - India alleges fresh assaults - Pakistan denies involvement
Here's a lowdown on the latest flare-up between these two nuclear powers.
Recent Events:
- April 22, 2025: A brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, India-controlled Kashmir, leaves 26 Indian tourists dead. India believes the attackers had ties with Pakistan, though Pakistan denies any involvement[1][2].
- Late April to Early May 2025:
- India's Countermeasures: Initiates a manhunt for the perpetrators, pauses the water-sharing agreement under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, downgrades diplomatic ties with Pakistan, and revokes visas for Pakistani natives. India seals off all border crossings[2].
- Pakistan's Responses: Denies any involvement in the tragedy, distancizes itself from the 1972 Simla Agreement, and proposes a neutral probe into the Pahalgam attack[1][2].
- Early May 2025:
- Trade and Travel Halt: India and Pakistan cancel visas for every other's citizens. Pakistan shuts its airspace for Indian-owned or operated airlines and suspends all commerce with India, even through third parties[1].
- Military Exchanges: Reports of ongoing skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani soldiers at the Line of Control [LoC or de facto Kashmir border][1].
- May 7, 2025: India conducts military operations against suspected terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir[2].
- Mid-May 2025:
- On-going Tension: Ongoing military conflicts between Indian and Pakistani troops on the LoC continue. Pakistan hints at discontinuing LoC-related agreements[1].
- International Urging: The United Nations and the G7 encourage both sides to exercise caution to avoid further escalation[1].
- Recent Military Actions: Pakistan alleges that India fired missiles at air bases within the nation, leading to retaliatory strikes. India aims at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Murid air base in Chakwal, and Rafiqui air base in eastern Punjab[1]. Pakistan also hurls missiles at Indian military positions[1].
As the situation unfolds, diplomatic efforts have been made by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been arranging mediation talks in New Delhi after his visit to Pakistan[3]. The conflict's roots can be traced back to the colonial era when Britain granted independence to the Indian subcontinent and divided it in 1947, which led to the formation of predominantly Hindu India and the Muslim state of Pakistan[4]. Since gaining independence, these two nations have battled three wars, two of which revolved around Kashmir.
- The community policy within both India and Pakistan has been under scrutiny due to the recent escalations over Kashmir.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Kashmir, unfounded allegations between the two nations continue to dominate general news.
- Notably, employment policies have temporarily halted due to India's decision to revoke visas for Pakistani natives in response to the Pahalgam attack.
- In the midst of the tension, there have been reports of drone activity along the Line of Control, adding a new dimension to the conflicts in Kashmir politics.
