Ongoing ceasefire violation
Starting from the evening of April 24, the actions of the Pakistani army marked a new escalation of the ceasefire violation. These violations began with India’s moratorium on the Indian Waters Treaty in response to the attack. Initially, small arms of Kupwara and Balamurah located in northern Kashmir shot targeted posts. However, these violations quickly spread to other departments, including Poonch, Akhnoor, Sunderbani, Naushera, and even the Pargwal department along the Jamu IB.
A defense spokesman confirmed in the PTI report: “On the evening of May 2-3, the Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked small arms shootings in Kupwara, Uri, Uri and Akhnoor regions, the Union territory of the Indian army.
This situation has attracted the attention of civilians. Residents along the LOC and IB have begun preparing their community bunkers, and if the conflict escalates further, potential shelling can be cleared.
Military retaliation and diplomatic warning
Indian troops responded quickly and proportionally to these unreasonable violations. Since the beginning of these skirmishes, the Indian army has maintained a calibrated response, and retaliated effectively every time the Pakistani army fired. This marks the ninth consecutive instance of revenge, with each exchange escalating along the border.
Earlier, from May 1 to 2, Pakistani troops opened fire at LOC opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera and Akhnoor. India's military sources reported that India responded in proportion and measure, effectively opposing aggressiveness. “Indian troops responded to the unprovoked small arms launched by the Pakistan Army in a calibrated and proportional manner.”
Diplomatic efforts and escalation measures
Despite a recent hotline conversation between the directors of the Military Operations of India and Pakistan (DGMOS), where India has warned about these repeated violations, tensions remain high. The two countries reiterated the ceasefire in 2021, but the ongoing violence seems to suggest a collapse of the agreement.
In response to this situation, India has taken further diplomatic and military measures. On April 24, Pakistan closed airspace for Indian Airlines, suspended trade and warned that any attempt to transfer water from the Indus River would be considered an “act of war.” In retaliation, India closed the space for all Pakistani registered and operated aircraft from April 30 to May 23. Notifications to the pilot (Notam) confirmed the closure, which affected all civil and military flights.
India has a 3,323 km border with Pakistan, including the International Boundary (IB), the Line of Control (LOC) and the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL). The LOC spanning 740 kilometers from jam to Leh has long been a flash point for hostilities. Despite a 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two countries, recent violations and escalating violence indicate a close relationship with the relative calm of the past.
As tensions continue to intensify, India and Pakistan are at a delicate juncture. While military responses have been measured to date, the risk of escalation remains high. As civilians prepare for the possibility of further attacks, diplomatic warnings were issued by both sides, and the situation remained fragile. Diplomatic channels may remain crucial to preventing further conflicts, but the path to peace is becoming increasingly uncertain.
(with input from ANI, PTI)
