Synopsis Tensions have spiked between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people. As New Delhi blames terrorists for the assault, the two nuclear-armed nations have exchanged small-arms re along the Line of Control. In response, India has downgraded diplomatic ties, suspended a key water treaty, and revoked Pakistani visas. Pakistan has denied involvement, expelled Indian
diplomats, and warned of rm retaliation. The UN has urged both sides to show restraint.
A brief exchange of small arms re between Indian and Pakistani troops erupted overnight across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, marking therst military confrontation since a ceasere pledge in 2021. The ring took place during the night of 25–26 April, with the Indian Army conrming that “unprovoked small ring was carried The incident follows closely on the heels of a militant assault on a tourist site in Pahalgam that left 26 men dead, the worst attack on civilians in the region in over two decades. The attack has sharpened tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals and triggered a wave of diplomatic and military posturing.
Security forces hunt suspects linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba Police have launched a massive manhunt across Jammu and Kashmir. Oicials released wanted posters featuring sketches of three suspects. Two of them, police say, are Pakistani nationals associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba,banned Pakistan-based militant group designated a terrorist organisation by both India and the United States. to Indian authorities, soldiers on Friday conducted operations in north Kashmir in search of the attackers. The Indian Army conrmed via a post on X that it had also engaged in a separate encounter with militants in the region.
Pakistan rejects claims, accuses India of deection Islamabad has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, which India labelled an act of terrorism. “Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with rm reciprocal measures in all domains,” said a government statement issued after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare National Security Committee meeting with top mThe deadly events in Pahalgam and the retaliatory measures have also brought rare cross-border visits to a sudden halt, once again separating families
divided by the conict.
While Friday’s gunre caused no injuries, it signalled the fragility of the ceasere accord and the potential for further military confrontation. As analysts warn of possible escalations, both sides continue to exchange threats
and accusations. The U.N. Security Council condemned the Pahalgam attack as a “terrorist attack” and urged for justice. But on the ground, both militaries remain on mhigh alert, and the path to de-escalation looks increasingly uncertain. military leaders.