Tensions between India and Pakistan continue to spiral following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, with Pakistan violating the ceasefire agreement for the 11th consecutive day. On Sunday night, Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked small arms firing across multiple sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the Indian Army to respond with measured but accurate retaliatory fire.

This sustained aggression comes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in one of the worst terror attacks since the Pulwama incident in 2019. The Indian Army, in its official response, assured that Indian forward posts and civilian populations near the border were secured and retaliatory actions were calibrated to avoid escalation while safeguarding national integrity.

Pakistan’s Cross-Border Firing Continues to Escalate

The ceasefire violation last night was widespread, with Pakistan opening fire from 35 of its border posts across the Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors. Reports confirm that civilian areas, particularly those near water streams and settlements close to the LoC, were also targeted.

These violations are seen as part of Pakistan’s larger military strategy in response to the firm stance taken by India post-Pahalgam, with troop deployment significantly ramped up in Kotli, Mirpur, Mangla Forward, Khuretta, Rawalakot, Bhattal, Hajira, Muzaffarabad, Aliabad, Chakothi, Abbottabad, Bagh, and Balakot. These areas, according to intelligence sources, are witnessing increased surveillance, logistics movement, and dummy equipment placement designed to mislead Indian satellites and reconnaissance systems.

Pakistan is reportedly using military deception techniques, including the strategic placement of dummy tanks, artillery units, and air defence systems, to create a false sense of heightened readiness. The goal appears to be confusing Indian radar and satellite imaging systems, thus creating a misrepresentation of ground strength.

India's Response: Military and Diplomatic

The Indian Army’s retaliation was described by officials as precise, proportional, and in strict response to provocation, in line with India's current rules of engagement. The armed forces have also elevated alert levels across vulnerable sectors, while simultaneously undertaking counter-surveillance measures to offset Pakistan’s attempts at deception.

Simultaneously, India has escalated diplomatic and trade pressures on Islamabad. In response to the Pahalgam attack, New Delhi announced a ban on the import of goods from or transiting through Pakistan and prohibited the entry of Pakistani ships into Indian ports. This was followed immediately by a reciprocal ban by Pakistan on Indian-flagged ships from accessing its ports. This tit-for-tat action indicates a new low in India-Pakistan trade ties, compounding the military standoff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address on Saturday, reaffirmed India’s commitment to “firm and decisive action” against terrorists and their backers, indirectly referencing state-sponsored terror from across the border.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: The Flashpoint

On April 22, gunmen ambushed a tourist convoy in Pahalgam, resulting in 26 fatalities and injuries to over a dozen others. This marked the deadliest attack in the Kashmir Valley post-Article 370’s abrogation in 2019. The attack's timing, right before the peak tourist season, is viewed by security analysts as a deliberate move to destabilize normalcy in the region and derail the region’s economic recovery.

Post-attack, intensive search and combing operations were launched by security forces, especially in South Kashmir, with heightened checkpoints, drone surveillance, and intelligence-based raids continuing in the affected districts. The government has maintained that it is working to neutralise the attackers and dismantle the terror infrastructure that enabled such a plot.

Strategic and Political Ramifications

The current situation mirrors patterns seen in earlier flashpoints in India-Pakistan relations, such as the Pulwama-Balakot escalation. However, this time, the continued ceasefire violations, coupled with mock military tactics, reflect a more sustained provocation by Islamabad.

Furthermore, the international community, including countries like Russia, has expressed concern over the rapid deterioration in relations. However, New Delhi remains firm that any resolution must occur bilaterally, as per the 1972 Simla Agreement and the 1999 Lahore Declaration, rejecting third-party mediation.

As tensions grow, both militaries remain on heightened alert, and diplomatic exchanges between the two neighbours have become non-existent, with communication limited to military hotlines to prevent unintentional escalation.

Conclusion

The current scenario reflects the high-stakes and volatile state of India-Pakistan ties post the Pahalgam terror attack. With daily ceasefire violations, military deception by Pakistan, and a firm diplomatic and military stance by India, the region teeters on the edge of broader conflict. The Indian Army’s precision response, the ban on trade and port access, and PM Modi’s firm message make it clear that India is prepared to counter any aggression while safeguarding national sovereignty and civilian safety.

While the global community watches closely, the situation demands strategic patience, military readiness, and internal unity as India navigates one of the most serious cross-border escalations since 2019.

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