The fragile peace between India and Pakistan has shattered once again. In a rapid escalation of hostilities along the disputed Kashmir border, both sides have traded missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire—reviving fears of a broader military conflict between two nuclear-armed rivals.
What began as India’s retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month has spiraled into a dangerous exchange of firepower and blame. Each country accuses the other of launching unprovoked attacks and causing civilian deaths, while the international community urges immediate de-escalation.
A Deadly Chain Reaction
India’s military said its initial strikes on Wednesday targeted air defenses and militant camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The government claims these were in response to the killing of Indian tourists in Pahalgam—an attack New Delhi blames on Pakistan-backed militants. Islamabad, however, denies any involvement.
Pakistan responded by shooting down what it said were 25 Indian drones and launching retaliatory strikes. Indian authorities claim they intercepted several drones and missiles but suffered no casualties. On the other hand, Pakistan says Indian shelling has killed at least 36 people.
Conflicting reports have emerged, with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claiming 25 Indian soldiers were killed—figures disputed by India, which denies any such loss and accuses Pakistan of fabricating casualty numbers.
The BBC, among other outlets, has been unable to independently verify either country’s military claims, highlighting the fog of war that now surrounds the region.
Civilians in the Crossfire
In Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the mood has shifted from tense to fearful. Residents have begun relocating families away from military sites. Hotels near the LoC that once hosted tourists are emptying, and blackouts are now nightly rituals.
“We’re keeping the children indoors, away from the windows,” said Muhammad Sagheer, who recently moved his family after a missile struck near his home. “They were terrified.”
Artillery fire lit up the night sky above Muzaffarabad for the second straight night on Thursday. Streets were quiet, markets shuttered, and advisories for blackouts were silently obeyed. In Indian-administered Kashmir, similar scenes unfolded, with residents in border towns staying indoors and shops closing early.
The death toll is rising. Pakistan claims dozens of civilians have died in Indian air strikes, while India says 16 people were killed in Pakistani shelling. Each side blames the other for targeting civilians.
A Battle of Narratives
Beyond the battlefield, a digital war is raging.
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) announced it had blocked over 8,000 accounts in India following government orders. The blocked accounts include Pakistani news outlets and journalists. The platform criticized the Indian government's censorship, calling it "unnecessary" and said it would explore legal action.
The Indian news site The Wire also reported its site had been blocked by internet providers—allegedly on orders from the Ministry of Information Technology. The government has not commented.
“This is narrative warfare as much as real warfare,” said Lahore-based analyst Sadiq Rahman. “What people believe may be just as influential as what actually happens.”
Kashmir: The Epicenter
The contested region of Kashmir remains the flashpoint. Claimed in full by both countries but divided between them, the region has long been a site of insurgency and military standoffs. In 2019, India’s move to revoke Kashmir’s autonomy further soured relations.
The Line of Control is now a hot zone. Indian and Pakistani troops are exchanging fire across several sectors. Both sides say they are acting in self-defense, but the risks of miscalculation are growing.
“The escalation is faster than anything we’ve seen in years,” a local official in Muzaffarabad told the BBC. “It’s not just bullets—it’s drones, missiles, and fear spreading in every direction.”
The Global Response
The United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations have called for calm. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that any further military action could spiral into a catastrophic conflict. China urged both sides to show restraint, while Russia offered to mediate.
With neither India nor Pakistan showing signs of backing down, diplomatic efforts are so far yielding little. Domestic politics in both countries may be driving the standoff, with leaders under pressure to project strength.
“Escalation is politically useful for both sides, but it’s dangerous for everyone,” said Indian political commentator Suhasini Haidar.
Anxious Populations Wait
While political leaders trade barbs and missiles, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
“Everything changed overnight,” said a hotel staffer in Muzaffarabad. “This place was full of tourists a week ago. Now it’s just silence and fear.”
A young woman from Karachi, who came to the area for vacation, summed up the uncertainty. “We’re checking missile ranges on Google. That’s not how a holiday should end.”
As tensions mount and rhetoric hardens, the people of Kashmir—and millions more on both sides of the border—are once again left to hope that diplomacy prevails over disaster.
Leave a Reply