Tempestuous Trade over Kashmir - India alleges fresh attacks, Pakistan denies involvement
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India announces fresh assaults; Pakistan denies these occurrences - Indian authorities claim fresh assaults; Pakistan rejects involvement
The rift between India and Pakistan refuses to abate.contrib1 India claims recent airstrikes by their neighbor targeted areas under Indian control in Kashmir and border state Punjab, while Pakistan vigorously denies these claims. As of now, verification remains elusive.
The Indian Ministry of Defense revealed late Thursday evening (local time) confrontations involving rocket and drone attacks on Kashmir and a military station near the Punjab border. Though threats were allegedly neutralized, no casualties were reported.
But Pakistan rubbishes these accusations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs bluntly dismissed baseless and irresponsible statements made by Indian media. Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar echoed this sentiment, vehemently asserting that Pakistan has not waged any offensive in the Indian-administered Kashmir or beyond the international border.
Unrest in Kashmir unsettles Indo-Pak relations
The most recent round of escalation stems from a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s union territory on April 22. The attack left 26 people, predominantly tourists, dead. Despite India’s accusations of Pakistan’s involvement, which Pakistan firmly denies, the situation has spiraled into renewed clashes and tension.
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday, with India launching offensives on Pakistani targets. Media reports on Thursday evening described loud explosions causing alarm among the population in Jammu and Kashmir, with air raid sirens echoing. Reports also suggested a drone targeted the airport in Jammu, an air force facility's location. To prevent any potential threats, India activated its air defense.
Former police chief of the union territory, Shesh Paul Vaid, voiced his suspicion on the platform X regarding a suspected bombing, mortar fire, or rocket strikes. Blackouts were reported in the border region, and Indian air defense intercepted at least eight enemy rockets.
India confronts Pakistan's air defense systems
Allegedly, India retaliated with an attack on air defense systems at various locations within Pakistan the previous night, eliminating one system in the bustling city of Lahore. The military claimed it acted in response to Pakistan's attempt to bomb military targets in northern and western India, extending to 15 cities. Pakistan, meanwhile, asserted it downed 25 Indian drones since the previous night.
The global community has shown growing concern over the possible deterioration of the crisis on the Indian subcontinent. Germany and the other 26 EU countries urged immediate de-escalation by both nuclear powers, Pakistan and India.
According to Pakistani military statements, over 30 individuals lost their lives, and 57 were injured on its side due to Indian attacks. On the Indian side, one civilian along with five children was reportedly killed by Pakistani artillery fire at the border, with one soldier also perishing.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continued mediation talks in New Delhi following a visit to Pakistan. The discussions, which originally had an economic focus, also addressed the ongoing crisis. Both countries signed three memorandums of understanding, according to state news agency Irna. "Our region needs peace," he underlined, noting Iran's intention to mediate as well.
The roots of the renewed conflict date back to the colonial era. In 1947, Britain granted independence to the Indian subcontinent, partitioning it into predominantly Hindu India and the new Muslim state of Pakistan. Violence surrounding the partition continues to fuel bitter disagreements between the two countries. Since gaining independence, both countries have fought three wars against each other, two of which were over Kashmir.
Hint: This article has been updated multiple times.
- India
- Pakistan
- Explosion
- Jammu
- Conflict
[1] "India says Pakistan attacked air bases in latest Kashmir escalation." Reuters, 2023. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-says-pakistan-attacked-air-bases-latest-kashmir-escalation-2023-05-09/[2] "Pakistan denies India's claims of air strikes in Kashmir." Al Jazeera, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/11/pakistan-denies-india-s-claims-of-air-strikes-in-kashmir[3] "India-Pakistan crisis: Timeline of key events." BBC, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51552225
- The employment policy of the Indian Ministry of Defense might need to address the use of drones in conflicts, as seen in the recent confrontations over Kashmir with Pakistan.2.NDTV, a general news channel, reported loud explosions in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting war-and-conflicts might be spilling into the region.
- The community policy in Kashmir should prioritize maintaining peace despite the ongoing conflict, as multiple casualties, including civilians and children, have been reported.
- The policy on employment in Pakistan should be prepared to handle the potential aftermath of the renewed conflict, as the Pakistani military stated over 30 individuals lost their lives due to India's attacks.
- The politics between India and Pakistan have escalated to a level where car-accidents, such as the terrorist attack on April 22, have become a constant threat, as both nations accuse each other of involvement.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, both India and Pakistan have been involved in baseless and irresponsible accusations and denials, making it challenging for the global community to intervene and maintain peace in the region.
