Tensions between India and Pakistan are on the rise as the fragile 2021 ceasefire agreement comes under serious strain.
On Friday night, Pakistani forces launched heavy cross-border firing across north Kashmir, targeting scores of Indian posts. In response, forward-deployed Indian troops retaliated strongly, leading to the most widespread exchange of fire between the two nations in the last four years, officials confirmed.
Hostilities Escalate Across the Line of Control
Unlike the isolated and brief skirmishes witnessed over the past few years, the current pattern involves simultaneous attacks at multiple points across the 740-km Line of Control (LoC). Officials say this marks a clear shift, especially following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
Indian posts in sectors like Uri, Tangdhar, Kupwara, and Gurez came under attack, prompting a firm and calculated military response. Officials emphasized that the Indian Army is fully prepared to handle any further escalation.
“The Pakistan Army’s actions are testing the ceasefire that has mostly held. But now a question mark hangs over whether it will last. We are ready for anything,” an official said.
Mounting Pressure After Pahalgam Attack
The recent terror strike at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow has intensified India’s resolve. The government has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic ties, and closed the Attari border crossing. Pakistan, in retaliation, has shut its airspace to Indian airlines and threatened to pull out of bilateral agreements like the Simla Accord.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a strong message, vowing that India will hunt down terrorists and their handlers “to the ends of the earth.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also warned of imminent action across the LoC.
What Lies Ahead?
So far, the exchanges have remained limited to small arms fire, but officials caution that the situation could escalate if heavier weaponry and artillery come into play.
Experts believe that with forward positions now targeted, the Indian security forces will need to stretch their resources — not just preventing infiltrations but also protecting tourist hubs and vulnerable civilian areas.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire, announced jointly in February 2021, can survive this latest flashpoint, or whether full-scale hostilities will return to the world’s most volatile border.
