India and Pakistan are deploying military and diplomatic resources in response to the escalating crisis triggered by a deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The massacre on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly Indian Hindu tourists, has heightened fears of a potential conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
India accuses Pakistan of supporting the gunmen behind the attack, labeling it a terror act. Pakistan denies the charge, with both countries expelling diplomats, closing borders, and suspending air travel. India has also suspended a crucial water-sharing agreement with Pakistan. The region of Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan, has been a source of longstanding tension, having been the battleground of two wars between the two nations.
World leaders have called for restraint, urging both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled for closed consultations, while officials from the U.S., China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia have urged both sides to exercise caution. In response, Russia and Iran have offered to mediate between the two countries, with Russian President Vladimir Putin condemning the terror attack.
India has sought international support for its stance, showcasing evidence of cross-border links to the attack. Meanwhile, Pakistan has offered to cooperate with an international investigation but warned it would match or exceed any military actions from India.
Amid rising tensions, the Indian army has reported clashes with Pakistani forces along the Line of Control, with accusations of ceasefire violations. In Kashmir, Indian forces have launched a large-scale operation to hunt down the attackers, detaining and questioning over 2,000 individuals and arresting some under anti-terrorism laws.
As tensions mount, fears grow within Kashmir, where the population has long suffered from violence linked to the region’s ongoing insurgency and the political conflict between India and Pakistan.
Source: Swifteradio.com
