Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu
Jammu, May 3: Tensions between India and Pakistan have surged dramatically, with the Pakistan Army engaging in unprovoked small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir for the ninth straight day, officials confirmed on Saturday.
According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, the firing occurred overnight on May 2 and May 3 across the Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors. “Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately,” the statement read, underlining the military’s preparedness amid escalating hostilities.
This persistent ceasefire violation follows the gruesome terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, where 26 civilians—including 25 tourists and one local—were brutally killed. The attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, reportedly backed and supported by Pakistan.
The massacre has triggered national outrage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strongly worded statement, vowed that the perpetrators, their handlers, and all enablers would be hunted down relentlessly. "They will be chased to the ends of the earth," he declared.
In the wake of the attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the Prime Minister for a 40-minute strategy session. Prior to this, Singh received an in-depth briefing from Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan regarding the military’s readiness to tackle any scenario.
Sources say the Prime Minister has granted full operational freedom to the Armed Forces to retaliate and bring the attackers to justice.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha conducted a high-level security review with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar. Sinha directed the military to deploy all necessary force to eliminate those behind the Pahalgam carnage.
In a show of zero tolerance toward terrorism, the government has intensified punitive actions. Security forces have been demolishing properties linked to terrorists and their networks. Last Friday, two houses—belonging to Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, both involved in the Pahalgam attack—were razed in Tral and Bijbehara. So far, homes of ten active LeT militants have been demolished in the Valley.
On the political front, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the attack. India has also taken a series of firm diplomatic and economic steps against Pakistan, including shutting the Attari-Wagah border crossing, suspending the Indus Water Treaty, deporting Pakistani nationals, and closing its airspace to Pakistani commercial flights.
In response, Pakistan announced its decision to no longer adhere to the Shimla Agreement, effectively signaling it will not recognize the LoC as the de facto border in Jammu and Kashmir.
As both military and diplomatic fronts heat up, the region braces for what could be a prolonged period of heightened confrontation.