India and Pakistan trade border fire after Kashmir tourist attack

Cross-border gunfire continues as tensions rise following deadly Kashmir assault blamed on Pakistani militants.

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at the Attari-Wagah crossing on the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar, following the attack on tourists near south Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam, on April 25, 2025. Photo by Pawan Kumar/Reuters

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Indian and Pakistani troops engaged in gunfire for a second consecutive day along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, as tensions soared following a deadly attack on Indian tourists in the region. The Indian government has accused Pakistan-based militants of orchestrating the April 22 attack, which killed 26 people, sparking retaliatory diplomatic and military actions from New Delhi.

According to Indian Army officials, the latest exchange of fire began around midnight on Friday and involved “unprovoked” small arms fire from several Pakistani military posts along the 740-kilometer de facto border that divides Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The Indian military also reported similar sporadic firing starting at midnight on Thursday, although it stated that no casualties had been reported on the Indian side from either night’s incidents. There has been no official response from Pakistan’s military regarding the latest clashes.

Fallout from Kashmir attack fuels a renewed border conflict

The deadly April 22 attack targeted a tourist convoy in India’s Kashmir valley, killing 26 and injuring dozens more. Indian authorities have since identified three suspects, including two Pakistani nationals, as responsible for the assault. While India insists the attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militants, the Pakistani government has strongly denied involvement.

In Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called for an international probe into the incident, dismissing New Delhi’s accusations as “baseless and politically motivated.” Asif said that Pakistan "wants peace but will not tolerate false blame or aggression.”

India, however, has moved swiftly to apply diplomatic and strategic pressure. One of the most dramatic measures was New Delhi’s decision to suspend the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which governs water-sharing arrangements between the two countries. This action is viewed as a significant escalation, targeting a critical resource in the region.

Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian commercial and military aircraft, further worsening already strained relations.

Kashmir again at the center of Indo-Pakistani hostility

The region of Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but divided between them, has long been the flashpoint for conflict between the two nations. They have fought three wars since independence in 1947, two of which were over Kashmir.

Although both countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, it has been frequently violated, with sporadic skirmishes and accusations from each side continuing to this day. The most recent escalation, following the April 22 attack, underscores how fragile peace in the region remains.

In the Indian capital, government officials have emphasized the need to ensure national security in light of what they described as an ongoing campaign of “cross-border terrorism” sponsored by Pakistan. “India will respond firmly to any threats to its territorial integrity,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has accused India of using the attack to distract from internal problems in Jammu and Kashmir and to rally nationalist support. “India is trying to internationalize a domestic security failure and unfairly malign Pakistan,” said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

A region on edge: military buildup and diplomatic standoff

With military tensions mounting, both sides have reportedly increased troop deployments near the LoC. Indian intelligence sources confirmed that additional surveillance drones and artillery units have been moved closer to potential flashpoints along the border.

Pakistan, according to local reports, has also bolstered its positions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), anticipating possible Indian retaliatory strikes. International observers, including UN peacekeeping monitors in the region, have urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed “deep concern” over the situation and called for both countries to resume dialogue to prevent further violence. “The region cannot afford another war between two nuclear-armed states,” a UN spokesperson said in a press briefing.

Civilian lives caught in the crossfire

For residents living in towns and villages near the LoC, the renewed gunfire has revived old fears. Local media reported that several communities in Jammu and Kashmir were forced to take shelter in bunkers after hearing gunshots through the night.

“People are scared. We’ve lived through wars before, and nobody wants to go back to that time,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Kupwara, a town close to the border.

Local authorities in India’s border districts have increased patrols and issued advisories to residents to remain indoors during periods of firing. Evacuation plans have also been drawn up for several high-risk areas.

On the Pakistani side, similar precautions are being taken. Residents in the Neelum Valley reported shelling sounds overnight, though there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The United States, the European Union, and China have all issued statements urging calm and calling for renewed diplomatic engagement.

“The recent developments along the India-Pakistan border are deeply troubling. Both governments must prioritize dialogue over confrontation,” said the U.S. State Department in a statement.

India and Pakistan’s strategic rivalry, long shaped by their nuclear capabilities and deep-seated mistrust, poses a unique challenge to international peacekeeping efforts. The current standoff is further complicated by the domestic political landscape in both countries.

India is heading into an election cycle, and some analysts suggest that nationalist rhetoric could play a role in shaping the government’s responses. Pakistan, grappling with its own internal political challenges and economic instability, may find itself boxed into a corner.

Can diplomacy prevail amid rising tensions?

Despite the growing hostilities, some diplomatic backchannels remain open. Officials from both nations have reportedly been in contact through intermediary countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, to try and de-escalate the situation.

Analysts say much will depend on whether both governments are willing to rein in domestic pressures and return to the negotiating table.

“There is a narrow window for diplomacy, but it’s still open,” said Professor Arvind Mehta, a South Asia security expert based in New Delhi. “Neither India nor Pakistan wants a full-scale conflict, but without dialogue, even a small spark can lead to something much bigger.”

The latest exchanges of gunfire between India and Pakistan following the Kashmir tourist attack have once again underscored the volatility of their relationship. As accusations fly and retaliatory measures escalate, the focus must shift to preventing further bloodshed and fostering dialogue.

The world watches with concern, aware that the path forward must include both accountability and restraint.