Srinagar, India — Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir, prompting heightened military activity along the Line of Control (LoC) that separates the two nuclear-armed nations. India accused Pakistan of being behind the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, a claim Islamabad emphatically denies.
In response to the rising hostilities, the prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, urged local residents to prepare for potential shortages by stockpiling food. He announced an emergency plan to allocate one billion rupees (approximately $3.5 million) to ensure the availability of essential supplies, including food and medicine, in the affected regions.
Indian military sources reported that gunfire exchanges have persisted for eight consecutive nights along the militarized LoC, heightening fears of a broader conflict. Both countries have enacted a series of retaliatory diplomatic measures in light of this escalating violence.
As part of the new emergency measures, the regional government is mobilizing resources to maintain road access across the LoC, recognizing the potential challenges residents may face in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, Pakistan declared it would maintain the Wagah border crossing open for its citizens stranded in India due to New Delhi’s suspension of visa services.
Reports indicate that approximately 70 Pakistani nationals became trapped at the border as the deadline for their exit lapsed, raising concerns about the treatment of those affected by the recent tensions. The ongoing turmoil has drawn international attention, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance urging both nations to approach the situation with caution. He expressed hope that India would respond to the attack in a manner that would not escalate into regional conflict and called on Pakistan to assist in addressing the militant threat.
In a separate diplomatic engagement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked China’s ambassador for supporting a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Sharif expressed concerns that India’s aggressive stance could detract from Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts against groups like the Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
As both countries stand on the brink of further military action, the situation remains volatile. With food and essential goods being prioritized in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions before further bloodshed occurs.