Relations between India and Pakistan are back in full crisis mode, with Sunday marking a third day of reports of sporadic border firing at army outposts between the nuclear-armed neighbours and historic foes, following a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last Tuesday that killed 26 Indian tourists in the remote mountainous region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a new statement vowing that the terrorists, widely referred to as the Pahalgam attackers, will be given the “strongest response” and that India will seek justice “to the ends of the earth.”
The Indian army said over the weekend that there had been “unprovoked” firing “initiated by Pakistan” along the Line of Control (LOC), which divides Kashmir. Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.
The New York Times reported Saturday that “Pakistani soldiers first fired at an Indian position and India responded in kind,” according to local news reports, which said “the exchange was brief and there were no casualties.” The exact locations of those fires have not been released.
Days of crisis have passed and land borders have been closed, visas and military exchange programs have been mutually canceled, and a crucial water agreement has been suspended.
Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, meanwhile, said his country was ready to defend its sovereignty, but offered its willingness to launch a “neutral” international investigation into the attack.
Sharif continues to scramble to corner major global powers in Pakistan as he calls for an independent investigation. He has welcomed the involvement of China and Russia, as well as Iran.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told RIA Novosti: “I think Russia or China or even Western countries can play a very positive role in this crisis and they can even set up an investigation team to investigate whether India is lying or Modi is telling the truth.” He added: “Let the international team find out.”
Shariff’s office also issued the following statement: “The Pakistani prime minister said his country seeks peace in the region and if Iran wants to play a role in this regard, Islamabad welcomes it.”
Pakistani Kashmiris play cricket, undeterred by the firing from the India-Pakistan Line of Control pic.twitter.com/A376w9qGKZ
— RT (@RT_com) 27. aprill 2025
But if the two militaries continue to exchange fire, even amid reports that Pakistani visa holders will be quickly expelled from the country amid a diplomatic crisis, the clashes could escalate into open war. The two rivals are on the verge of another major incident after India accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists who murdered civilians in Kashmir last week.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has meanwhile said that there must be a decisive fight against terrorism and its origins.
Unverified videos of shooting along the disputed Line of Control have been widely circulated…
“The people of Kashmir have openly stood up against terrorism and the killing of innocent people, they did so freely and spontaneously. It is time to build on this support and avoid any wrongdoing that will alienate the people,” Abdullah wrote to X.
“Punish the guilty, show them no mercy, but don’t let the innocent people become collateral damage,” he added, expressing fears that Indian police and military forces are using brutal tactics against the local population in their hunt for those responsible for Tuesday’s attack. Will this crisis explode? The United Nations and international powers are urging both sides to back down.
