India and Pakistan are on high alert after Pakistan’s government claimed that it had “credible intelligence” that India was planning to take military action within 24-36 hours in response to a terrorist attack in Kashmir last week. The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has given his armed forces “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response”.
The April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed at least 26 people, most of whom were tourists. India quickly accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, while Islamabad denied any responsibility and offered to carry out an investigation.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been escalating over the past week, with repeated gunfire exchanges across their disputed border. The United Nations has warned that a confrontation between India and Pakistan would be “catastrophic” for both countries and the world.
India has taken non-military measures against Pakistan in response to the attack, including downgrading diplomatic relations and asking Pakistani nationals to leave the country. Pakistan has announced similar reciprocal measures. The US Secretary of State has asked the two countries not to escalate the situation.
The Kashmir region is claimed by both India and Pakistan, but each nation has controlled its own portion for decades. The two nations have fought three wars over the region, which is now divided by a de-facto border called the Line of Control (LoC). The conflict in the region has claimed tens of thousands of lives since an armed anti-Indian insurgency began in 1989.
The situation remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight. The international community is watching closely as tensions continue to escalate between India and Pakistan.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/india-pakistan-kashmir-tension-terror-attack-pahalgam