As relations between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan fall to their lowest level in years, their armies have exchanged gunfire for a third straight night along the disputed Kashmir border, officials said on Sunday.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” after gunmen carried out one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Kashmir in 25 years. The attack happened in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.
Pakistan has denied any involvement, calling the accusations “baseless,” and has promised to respond to any Indian actions.
Indian security forces launched a major search operation on April 22 to find the attackers who killed 26 men at a tourist spot in Pahalgam. Police said that two of the suspected attackers are Pakistani nationals.
The Indian Army said on Sunday that Pakistan started “unprovoked” small-arms firing along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries.
“Our soldiers responded effectively with appropriate small-arms fire,” the Indian Army stated.
Pakistan has not yet confirmed the latest round of shooting.
Following the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, announced the closure of a major land border crossing, downgraded diplomatic ties, and canceled visas for Pakistani citizens.
In response, Islamabad ordered Indian diplomats and military advisers to leave, canceled visas for Indian citizens (except Sikh pilgrims), and also closed its side of the main border crossing.
The United Nations has urged both India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint” and to resolve their issues “through meaningful mutual engagement and peaceful dialogue.”
