A deadly attack targeting tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir has once again pushed India and Pakistan toward the brink of war. The two nations have responded by downgrading diplomatic and trade relations, shutting down their main border crossing, and revoking visas for each other’s citizens.
Pakistan has rejected allegations of involvement in Tuesday’s assault, which left 26, mostly Indian, tourists dead at a scenic location in the Himalayan region. India claimed to have restored calm in the area, despite a rebellion lasting decades. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by a previously unknown militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance.
India and Pakistan have fought two out of their three wars over Kashmir — a region divided between them but claimed in full by both. Here’s what you should know about the latest spike in tensions between these two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Indian Officials Say Troops Exchanged Fire With Pakistani Soldiers in Kashmir
According to Indian officials, a brief exchange of gunfire took place between Indian and Pakistani soldiers along the heavily militarized frontier in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. This incident comes as both countries escalate a series of diplomatic retaliations following the deadly tourist attack.
The report of the gunfight emerged amid rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad after gunmen killed 26 people near the resort town of Pahalgam in Kashmir on Tuesday. India promptly labeled the massacre a “terror attack” and asserted that it had “cross border” links, holding Pakistan responsible for supporting it.
Pakistan rejected any involvement in the attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group identifying itself as the Kashmir Resistance.
Three Indian army officials stated that Pakistani forces used small arms to fire on an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday. Speaking anonymously due to departmental regulations, the officials said Indian troops returned fire, and no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday declined to either confirm or deny the incident. Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters at a news conference that “I will wait for a formal confirmation from the military before I make any comment.”
He further mentioned that no efforts at international mediation had been initiated yet.
Historically, both India and Pakistan have accused each other of instigating border clashes.
What’s At The Heart of The Dispute?
The relationship between India and Pakistan has been largely defined by conflict, tense diplomacy, and longstanding distrust — most notably concerning their conflicting claims over Kashmir.
Armed resistance movements have opposed Indian rule in Kashmir for decades, with many Muslim Kashmiris supporting the aim of either joining Pakistan or forming an independent nation. India blames Pakistan for fueling the unrest, an accusation Islamabad consistently denies. Over the years, the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, militants, and government troops.
How Has Pakistan Responded To India’s Reprisals?
On Tuesday, gunmen fatally shot 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, near the scenic town of Pahalgam. Although New Delhi immediately tied Pakistan to the assault, it has yet to publicly present supporting evidence.
In response, India announced a series of tough measures, including downgrading diplomatic relations, suspending a crucial water-sharing agreement, and revoking all visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals. Additionally, India stated it would scale down the number of Pakistani diplomats in New Delhi from 55 to 30, effective May 1.
Pakistan denounced India’s response as “irresponsible,” and retaliated by canceling visas for Indian nationals, halting all trade with India — even through third countries — and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
