India vs. Pakistan - Militaries exchange gunfire following recent attack near Kashmir

Intense armed clashes between Indian and Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region in April 2025, following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. Here’s a summary of the verified information:

• Clashes Confirmed: Multiple sources report exchanges of small arms fire and artillery between Indian and Pakistani forces along the LoC, starting around April 24, 2025, and continuing for several nights, including April 27–28, 2025. The Indian Army stated that Pakistani posts initiated "unprovoked" firing in sectors opposite Kupwara, Poonch, Baramulla, and Akhnoor, with Indian forces responding effectively. No casualties were reported in these specific exchanges.

• Triggering Event: The clashes followed a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, alleging "cross-border linkages," while Pakistan denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

• Escalation and Diplomatic Fallout: The attack led to heightened tensions, with both nations taking retaliatory measures. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed borders, while Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights, suspended trade, and expelled Indian diplomats. Both sides conducted military exercises, with India’s navy test-firing missiles and deploying INS Vikrant to the Arabian Sea.

• Sources of Information:

  • Al Jazeera (April 25 and 28, 2025): Reported ongoing gunfire across the LoC, with India blaming Pakistan for initiating fire.

  • Reuters (April 25 and 26, 2025): Confirmed sporadic firing along the LoC and India’s accusations of Pakistani involvement in the attack.

  • The Guardian (April 25 and 26, 2025): Noted exchanges of fire and the UN’s call for restraint amid rising tensions.

  • The New York Times (April 26 and 28, 2025): Reported intermittent small-arms fire and India’s moves to build a case for potential military action.

  • Wikipedia (April 28, 2025): Detailed the 2025 India-Pakistan border skirmishes, including military operations and diplomatic breakdowns.

  • ANI Posts on X (April 23–28, 2025): Indian Army statements and defense experts confirmed Pakistani-initiated firing and Indian responses.

• Context: The LoC, dividing Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, has been a flashpoint since 1947. Both nations claim the region in full, leading to multiple wars and skirmishes. The 2025 clashes mark a significant escalation after relative calm since a 2021 ceasefire.

Caveats:

• Both sides accuse each other of initiating fire, and independent verification of who started the clashes is limited.

• India’s claims of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack lack publicly shared evidence, and Pakistan denies any role.

17GEN4.com