Cross-Border Tensions Surge: Pakistan Escalates Shelling After India Suspends Indus Water Treaty Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
In the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, India took the significant diplomatic step of suspending the Indus Water Treaty, a landmark water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960.
The move, perceived as a direct response to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, has sharply escalated tensions between the two neighbouring nations.
Just hours after the announcement, Pakistani troops began intensifying cross-border hostilities, resorting to continuous, unprovoked firing and heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).
What initially began as scattered small-arms fire quickly evolved into full-fledged artillery bombardments by Wednesday, marking a dangerous escalation in military aggression.
Shelling Kills 13, Including Indian Soldier; Towns Suffer Damage
The worst violence was reported from the Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, where 13 individuals, including an Indian Army soldier, tragically lost their lives in a day-long barrage of artillery shells on Wednesday.
In addition to the loss of life, numerous homes and public infrastructure, including government buildings, were significantly damaged, leaving parts of Poonch town in ruins and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate and seek refuge in safer locations.
Though the guns fell silent in Poonch on Wednesday night, residents remained gripped by fear, anticipating further attacks. “We’re still in shock and fear that the shelling could resume at any moment,” said Aftab Ahmed, a resident.
Schools Shut, Emergency Measures in Place Across Jammu Province
In light of the unfolding crisis, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in five border districts of the Jammu region — Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Samba, and Kathua — as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and faculty.
District officials have been tasked with identifying safe zones and making arrangements to temporarily house those displaced from their homes in vulnerable border areas.
Emergency shelters and relief measures are being coordinated to manage the unfolding humanitarian situation caused by Pakistan’s shelling.
Renewed Aggression Across LoC: Uri, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Akhnoor Targeted
Even as the situation in Poonch remained tense, Pakistani forces resumed unprovoked firing across various sectors along the LoC.
The Indian Army, in an official statement released Thursday morning, confirmed that Pakistani troops had opened fire using both small arms and artillery guns during the night of May 7–8, targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor areas.
In response, Indian troops swiftly engaged and returned fire in a measured and proportionate manner, focusing on neutralising hostile Pakistani firing positions. “The Indian Army responded proportionately,” the statement read.
In the Kupwara district, specifically the Tangdhar sector, the night witnessed heavy firing from Pakistani troops, continuing well into Thursday morning. While there were no reported casualties this time, residents remained confined to underground bunkers as a precaution.
“This time, the shells mostly missed our village. Thankfully, there was no damage or loss of life,” said a villager in Tangdhar.
Ceasefire Violations in Nowgam, Civilian Areas Targeted in Uri Sector
Pakistan also violated the existing ceasefire agreement in the Nowgam sector of Kupwara, using a combination of small arms and artillery fire, further heightening tensions.
Meanwhile, in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Pakistani troops shelled several civilian-populated areas in the Uri sector, especially in and around Salamabad village.
While Thursday’s shelling did not result in any fresh injuries or fatalities, officials confirmed that 15 civilians had sustained injuries on Wednesday in various villages across Uri. Most of the wounded were from Salamabad and were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Summary of Developments
- India suspended the Indus Water Treaty in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
- Pakistan escalated hostilities, initiating unprovoked shelling in border districts.
- 13 people killed, including one Indian soldier, in artillery fire on May 8 in Poonch and Rajouri.
- Educational institutions closed in five districts; civilian evacuations underway.
- Pakistani troops targeted several sectors, including Kupwara, Uri, Baramulla, and Akhnoor.
- Indian Army retaliated effectively, with no fresh casualties reported on Thursday.
- UNMOGIP presence remains on high alert, as cross-border hostilities threaten to spiral further.
As border tensions continue to mount, security forces remain on heightened alert, while government agencies work around the clock to provide safety, shelter, and assistance to affected civilians.
The situation remains fluid, with further provocations by Pakistan likely to be met with swift and decisive responses from India.
