KASHMIR REGION, April 27, 2025 – Troops from Pakistan and India have exchanged gunfire along the disputed Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir for a third consecutive night, as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors reach their lowest point in years. The escalation follows a deadly terrorist attack on April 22 in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians-mostly Hindu tourists-were killed in the deadliest assault on Indian civilians in the region since 2008.
India has accused Pakistan-based militant groups, particularly the Resistance Front (an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba), of orchestrating the attack, alleging support from Pakistani military intelligence. Pakistan denies involvement but has condemned the violence. The attack has triggered a diplomatic crisis and a series of retaliatory measures that have further strained bilateral relations.
Military Clashes and Escalation
Since the attack, armed skirmishes have erupted repeatedly along the LoC. Indian and Pakistani forces have engaged in exchanges of small arms and heavy artillery fire in multiple sectors, including the Leepa Valley and Basantgarh region. On the night of April 26–27, Pakistan reportedly deployed heavy weaponry, including M110 self-propelled artillery, intensifying the clashes.
An Indian soldier was killed during a gunfight with insurgents in Udhampur, while two militants were also killed during security operations. Both sides have accused each other of initiating unprovoked firing, with Indian forces responding to what they describe as Pakistani provocations.
Diplomatic Fallout
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty for the first time since 1960, closed borders, and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement of 1972, closing its airspace and trade routes to India, and expelling Indian diplomats.
The suspension of these key agreements represents an unprecedented breakdown in the post-1971 framework governing India-Pakistan relations. Both countries have also closed their borders and restricted trade, further deepening the crisis.
Political and International Reactions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth” and promised the “harshest response” to those responsible. Modi briefed diplomats from over 100 countries in New Delhi, presenting technical intelligence, including facial recognition data, linking the attackers to Pakistan. Indian officials are reportedly building a case for a military response but face little international pressure to de-escalate amid global distractions.
Pakistan’s political leaders, including former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, issued strong statements warning of escalating tensions, with Bhutto Zardari declaring, “Either water will flow in this Indus, or their blood will.”
Human Impact and Security Measures
Following the attack, Indian security forces launched joint operations involving the army, paramilitary, and police to track down militants. Temporary lockdowns were imposed in affected areas, and the homes of suspected militants were demolished as part of counterterrorism efforts.
The violence has heightened fears of a wider conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors. Civilians in Kashmir continue to live under the shadow of insecurity, with tourism and daily life severely disrupted.
Background
The Kashmir conflict dates back to the Partition of British India in 1947, with both India and Pakistan claiming the region in full. The area has been a flashpoint for multiple wars and ongoing insurgencies. The recent attack and subsequent military clashes mark the most serious escalation since India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomous status in 2019.
Outlook
Analysts warn that while both sides are engaging in tit-for-tat exchanges, the risk of a larger military confrontation remains high. The suspension of longstanding agreements and closure of diplomatic channels complicate prospects for dialogue. The international community has so far remained largely muted, focusing on other global crises.
The situation remains volatile, with heavy troop deployments and artillery exchanges continuing along the LoC. Both India and Pakistan appear poised to maintain a posture of “managed hostility,” but the potential for miscalculation and escalation persists.