Tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) have escalated sharply following India's "Operation Sindoor," with Pakistan resorting to cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. This recent exchange of fire marks a dangerous turn in the already fraught relationship between the two countries.
The catalyst for the current hostilities was the April 22nd terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including a Nepali citizen. The attack, one of the deadliest in decades, targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow and was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group India identifies as a proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched "Operation Sindoor". This operation involved precision missile strikes on what India identified as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to Indian officials, nine sites were targeted, with the aim of dismantling terror networks and preventing future attacks. The strikes, which occurred early Wednesday morning, were described as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory". India asserted that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted and that the operation was conducted with surgical precision to avoid civilian casualties.
Pakistan, however, has presented a different account, stating that the Indian strikes hit six locations, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and injuries to more than 35. Pakistani officials stated that the targeted locations included areas near Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot and Shakargarh. They also claimed that two mosques were destroyed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of two young individuals.
Following "Operation Sindoor," Pakistan retaliated with heavy artillery and mortar fire along the LoC, targeting civilian areas in the Karnah area of Kupwara. This cross-border shelling has resulted in significant damage to properties and has forced residents to flee their homes in search of safety. The Indian Army has responded to the shelling in equal measure, targeting Pakistani posts in the Kupwara and Rajouri-Poonch sectors.
The intense exchange of fire has had a devastating impact on civilian populations on both sides of the LoC. At least 12 civilians, including children, have been reported killed in Pakistani shelling, with over 50 others wounded. The shelling has damaged homes and vehicles, triggering mass panic and prompting evacuations. In response, authorities have activated shelters and are providing relief and medical assistance to those affected.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The Indian Army confirmed the death of a soldier, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, on Wednesday due to Pakistani shelling. The 16 Corps of the Indian Army expressed solidarity with the victims of the attacks on innocent civilians. The airport in Gwalior has been closed for civilian and commercial aircraft until May 9th.
