Cross-border gunfire raises tensions between India and Pakistan after terror attack

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across the highly militarised de facto border in Kashmir overnight, the Indian military said yesterday, as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours continue to rise after a terror attack on tourists.

- STUTI MISHRA

In a statement, India’s army said soldiers from multiple Pakistani army posts opened fire “all across the line of control” during the night. “Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms,” the army said, claiming the firing was “unprovoked”. No casualties were reported.

It marked the second consecutive night of border skirmishes. On Friday, Indian officials said Pakistani soldiers had fired at an Indian post in the Gurez sector.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, and the incidents could not be independently verified. Cross-border fire has in the past been a regular occurrence in Kashmir, with each side often blaming the other for triggering hostilities, though what’s known as the “line of control” has been relatively quiet in recent years following a 2021 ceasefire agreement.