India and Pakistan Exchange Fire Amid Rising Tensions After Kashmir Attack

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, with both sides exchanging fire across the Line of Control (LoC) for the third consecutive day. The already strained relationship has deteriorated further as India accuses Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan denies any involvement in the recent violence. The international community is watching closely, concerned about the potential for further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Deadly Attack Sparks Retaliatory Measures

The immediate trigger for the current crisis was a militant attack on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. Gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, in what is considered the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in over two decades. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for the attack.

India swiftly condemned the attack, blaming Pakistan for supporting the militants. In response, New Delhi has taken a series of punitive measures, including:

• Downgrading diplomatic ties: India expelled Pakistani diplomats and recalled its own from Islamabad.
• Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty: This treaty, which has been in place since 1960, governs the sharing of water resources between the two countries. Suspending it could have severe consequences for Pakistan's agriculture.
• Closing the Attari-Wagah border crossing: This is the main land border crossing between the two countries.
• Revoking visas: All visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked, and Pakistani citizens have been ordered to leave India.

Pakistan has retaliated with similar measures, including:

• Suspending the Simla Agreement: This agreement, signed in 1972, underpins the ceasefire line in Kashmir.
• Closing its airspace to Indian aircraft: All trade with India has been halted, including through third countries.
• Expelling Indian diplomats: Pakistan has mirrored India's actions by reducing the diplomatic presence in both countries.

Cross-Border Firing and Military Operations

In addition to the diplomatic and economic measures, military tensions have also risen. The Indian Army reported "unprovoked" firing of small arms initiated by Pakistan along the LoC, the de facto border that divides Kashmir into two. Indian troops responded with appropriate small arms fire. Pakistan has not confirmed the latest exchange of fire.

India has also launched a major military operation to hunt down the attackers in Kashmir. Indian forces have reportedly destroyed several homes belonging to suspected militants and have imposed a media ban on live coverage of the operation. These actions have drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about the potential for alienating the local population.

Historical Context and Kashmir Dispute

The current crisis is rooted in the long-standing dispute over Kashmir, a Himalayan region claimed by both India and Pakistan. The two countries have fought two of their three wars over the territory. The conflict dates back to the partition of India in 1947, when the region's Hindu ruler chose to join India despite its majority-Muslim population.

Armed insurgents in Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for decades, with many Kashmiri Muslims supporting the goal of uniting the territory with Pakistan or establishing an independent state. India accuses Pakistan of supporting these insurgents, a charge that Islamabad denies.

In 2019, the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special autonomous status, bringing the region under direct rule from New Delhi. This move further alienated many Kashmiris and has been cited as a factor contributing to the recent increase in violence.

International Concerns and Potential for Escalation

The international community is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The two countries possess nuclear weapons, and any miscalculation or escalation could have catastrophic consequences.

Several countries and international organizations have called for restraint and dialogue. However, the prospects for a peaceful resolution appear dim. India has adopted a hard-line stance, vowing to retaliate strongly against any further attacks. Pakistan, while denying involvement in the recent violence, has warned against any attempts to change the status quo in Kashmir.

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a particularly worrying development. Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to divert water flows in violation of the treaty would be considered an "act of war." This raises the specter of a water conflict, which could have devastating consequences for both countries.

Uncertain Future

The situation between India and Pakistan remains volatile and unpredictable. The recent attack in Kashmir has shattered the fragile peace that had existed along the LoC since 2021. The tit-for-tat measures taken by both sides have further poisoned the atmosphere, making it difficult to find a way out of the crisis.

Whether the two countries can find a way to de-escalate tensions and resume dialogue remains to be seen. However, the risk of further conflict remains high, with potentially devastating consequences for the region and the world. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether India and Pakistan can pull back from the brink.