Heavy live firing was witnessed on Thursday afternoon on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, sending panic among people in border villages. Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire on Indian forward posts in the Tangdhar sector, prompting a robust retaliatory action by Indian forces, initial reports said.
The sudden upsurge has prompted the district administration and local police to serve an urgent notice, requesting civilians to remain indoors and refrain from open spaces. All activity in the vicinity of the LoC has been suspended, and locals have been instructed to avoid windows and rooftops as there are chances of shelling.
Cross-Border Firing Causes Panic among Border Villages
Eyewitnesses in the area reported hearing continuous gunfire and loud blasts throughout the afternoon. “It started around 2 PM and hasn’t stopped since. We’ve locked ourselves inside and switched off lights,” said a local resident of Tangdhar village.
Indian Army sources confirmed that it was Pakistani troops who opened the ceasefire violation, and several of the forward posts in Kupwara were heavily fired upon. No one has been injured thus far, although search and rescue units are at readiness and emergency procedures have been initiated.
Region Under High Alert Following Pahalgam Attack
The attack follows just days after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed several civilians when militants opened fire on a tourist vehicle. That attack, which is believed to have been orchestrated by Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits, has already increased security in Jammu and Kashmir.
Analysts feel the new live firing may be a step towards keeping Indian troops busy along the LoC while terror infrastructure on the Pakistani side of the line is still active.
Kupwara Locals Asked to Cooperate With Authorities
The district administration in Kupwara has asked citizens along the borders to stay calm but alert. Schools have been closed, mobile internet services temporarily stopped, and shelter prepared for contingencies, in case tensions escalated further. The Army said that it is keeping a tight eye on developments and will respond forcefully to any escalation.
Security has been enhanced throughout Jammu and Kashmir, with the state on high alert in anticipation of coordinated cross-border operations.
