Srinagar/Islamabad, May 6, 2025 —
Fresh violence erupted early Tuesday morning along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region of Kashmir, as Indian and Pakistani forces engaged in an intense exchange of fire that lasted several hours. The confrontation, which reportedly involved both small arms and mortar shelling, marks the most serious border escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in over a year.
Indian defense officials accused Pakistani troops of initiating “unprovoked firing” in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, targeting forward posts and civilian settlements. In response, the Indian Army stated it had carried out “retaliatory precision strikes” on Pakistani positions.
“Our forces responded firmly and effectively to ceasefire violations aimed at destabilizing the region,” said Indian Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Rajeev Khera. “We remain committed to safeguarding our sovereignty.”
On the other side, Pakistan’s military denied initiating hostilities and blamed India for what it described as an “unjustified and reckless assault on civilian areas.”
“Indian aggression has once again endangered lives across the LoC,” said a statement from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “We reserve the right to respond at a time and manner of our choosing.”
Casualties and Civilian Impact
Initial reports indicate that four Indian soldiers and three Pakistani soldiers were injured, while two civilians on the Pakistani side of the LoC were killed when a mortar struck a residential compound in the Neelum Valley. At least 30 families in border villages on both sides have been evacuated to temporary shelters.
Local residents in Poonch reported a “sleepless night of fear” as shells exploded near homes and farmland.
“We huddled in the basement, praying it would stop,” said 47-year-old Zahida Bano, a resident of Degwar village.
The border area has remained tense since 2019, when India revoked the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir, triggering diplomatic and military strain with Pakistan.
Regional and Global Reactions
The escalation drew swift concern from the United Nations and several regional powers. A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to exercise restraint and uphold the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
“Any military miscalculation between India and Pakistan carries unacceptable risks,” the UN said in a statement from New York.
China, a strategic partner of Pakistan and a stakeholder in South Asian stability, called for “immediate de-escalation through dialogue.” Meanwhile, the United States offered to mediate, reiterating its position that peace in Kashmir is essential for regional security.
A Fragile Peace Fraying
Despite a 2021 reaffirmation of the ceasefire, military sources on both sides acknowledge that sporadic violations have increased in recent months, particularly after a surge in militant activity in southern Kashmir.
India accuses Pakistan of continuing to support cross-border terrorism — a claim Islamabad strongly denies, maintaining that it only provides “diplomatic and moral support” to Kashmiris seeking self-determination.
The latest incident comes just weeks ahead of India’s national elections, a period historically associated with hardened security postures along the border. Analysts warn that domestic political agendas in both countries could inflame the situation further.
“The LoC is not just a military boundary — it’s a political flashpoint,” said Dr. Anika D’Souza, a South Asia security expert at the University of Toronto. “Escalations like this carry regional and global consequences, especially when nationalist rhetoric is involved.”
Looking Ahead
While no additional clashes have been reported since mid-day Tuesday, both sides remain on high alert. Field commanders have reportedly been instructed to reinforce surveillance and bolster forward posts.
Backchannel communications between Indian and Pakistani military officials have reportedly resumed to prevent further escalation, but neither side has confirmed this publicly.
Reporting by Adiba Rahman
International Conflict Correspondent, ChatGPT Global News
With additional reporting from Shazia Rauf in Islamabad and Arjun Bhatia in Srinagar
Email: adiba@chatgptnewsline.net
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