Tensions Flare After Terror Strikes in Kashmir
Violence erupted in late April 2025 after the shocking Pahalgam attack left tourists and local civilians in Kashmir reeling. Gunmen stormed a riverside market crowded with visitors during peak season on April 22, turning what should have been a festive gathering into chaos and tragedy. This wasn’t just a local crisis—it marked the latest flashpoint in a long and troubled rivalry.
The fallout was swift. Indian security forces responded with increased patrols, community lockdowns, and aggressive intelligence sweeps across the Kashmir Valley. The Indian Army only made things more tense by rolling out artillery units near the Line of Control (LoC) just days after the incident.
Pakistan’s response triggered even more anxiety. Ceasefire violations became a nightly occurrence along the LoC. Shelling lit up the skies over Kupwara and Poonch four nights in a row, rattling nerves in nearby villages. Both sides blamed each other for "provocation," but the escalation was clear—this was the most intense exchange of fire since the 2021 border calm.
Missiles, Espionage—and a Ceasefire Brokered from Beyond the Region
While the world watched nervously, hostilities nearly boiled over on May 9 when Pakistan launched several missiles into Jammu and Kashmir. Indian military officials claimed all missiles failed to reach their intended targets, while Pakistan insisted they were a show of "defensive strength." By then, Indian forces had already carried out targeted strikes on nine suspected militant camps just across the LoC, signaling they weren’t going to let the Pahalgam attack go unanswered.
Diplomatic channels were barely keeping up. On May 10, with tensions nearing the breaking point, the United States stepped in. Vice President JD Vance called both governments urging restraint and floated a "responsible solution." Just hours after those calls, a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect—pausing, if not easing, the cycle of violence for now.
Underneath the shaky truce, accusations of espionage stirred the pot further. Indian authorities announced the arrest of two Pakistani soldiers allegedly caught spying and relaying sensitive information across the border. Islamabad quickly called the arrests a provocation and demanded an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror incident, hoping to turn the spotlight off its own actions along the LoC.
As the security and military drama unfolded, both countries abruptly restricted airspace for flights crossing their borders. Airlines scrambled to adjust routes, and commercial flights between Islamabad and Delhi became a rare sight overnight. The move added one more layer to an already tense climate, showing just how quickly diplomatic ties can unravel when missiles and mortars start flying.
Washington’s stance was clear: the U.S. supports India’s counterterrorism push but urged both sides to de-escalate. Leaders on both sides know this truce is more a bandage than a cure. The border is tense, the political rhetoric is charged, and with elections looming in both countries, the risk of another sudden flare-up is never far away.