New Surge of Violence in Kashmir Following Indian Strikes: Several Dozens Reported Dead on Both Sides
Renewed Clashes Reported Between Indian and Pakistani Armed Forces Along the Line of Control
New exchanges of gunfire between Indian and Pakistani armed forces were reported from Wednesday night to Thursday along the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border between the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, the Indian army announced on Thursday.
These confrontations come in the wake of the most intense military standoff between India and Pakistan in over twenty years. This escalation was triggered by Indian airstrikes conducted on Wednesday on Pakistani territory, in retaliation for the attack carried out on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepalese national.
According to Pakistani army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Indian missiles and subsequent gunfire have led to the deaths of at least 31 Pakistani civilians and injured 57 others.
In response, artillery fire from Pakistan has resulted in the deaths of 13 Indian civilians and injuries to another 57, as reported by the Indian news agency PTI, citing official sources.
The Poonch district, located southwest of Srinagar, has been particularly hard hit by this outbreak of violence, accounting for all recorded fatalities as well as 42 injuries.
