Indian officials said Saturday that Pakistani forces fired on their positions along the contested border in Kashmir for the second straight night, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors after last week’s deadly attack on Indian tourists.
India blamed the attack—which killed 26 people, mostly tourists—on Pakistan-backed militants, calling it a terrorist act. Pakistan denied involvement, and a previously unknown group called the Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility. It marked one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region in years.
The Indian army reported overnight fire from several Pakistani posts along the Line of Control, prompting retaliatory fire. No injuries were reported. Pakistan has not commented, and the claims remain unverified.
Despite the border flare-up, daily life in Pakistan-administered Kashmir appeared normal, with markets open and no mass evacuations.
Diplomatic Fallout
Following the attack, India suspended a key water-sharing agreement, closed the sole land crossing with Pakistan, and revoked visas for Pakistani citizens. Pakistan responded by cancelling Indian visas, shutting its airspace to Indian airlines, and halting trade. Citizens on both sides began returning home via the Wagah border crossing.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to respond forcefully to any Indian moves to block water flows and expressed willingness to join an impartial investigation into the attack.
India continues to label all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies this, while many local Kashmiris view the armed movement as a legitimate fight for independence or unification with Pakistan.
International Reactions
Iran offered to mediate between the two countries, with its foreign minister highlighting the deep historical ties with both nations. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that India and Pakistan would resolve the conflict on their own, though he declined to get directly involved. U.S. intelligence official Tulsi Gabbard publicly backed India’s efforts to bring the attackers to justice.
Crackdown in Kashmir
Following the attack, Indian forces ramped up operations in the Kashmir Valley, detaining over 1,500 people, according to police. Troops also used explosives to demolish the homes of suspected militants in southern Kashmir, damaging surrounding houses. Authorities have used house demolitions as a common tactic against militancy, despite concerns from locals and human rights groups.