Troops from India and Pakistan have exchanged fire at the border on the third day after a militant attack in Jammu-Kashmir’s Pahalgam escalated tensions between the South Asian neighbours, reports NDTV.
The Indian news outlet says that there was “speculative firing on some Indian posts by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday night,” citing the Indian Army.
“The firing was effectively responded to,” Army sources told NDTV, adding that there were no casualties.
Suspected militants opened fire in the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist attraction in Kashmir`s Pahalgam area, on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people and wounding several others before fleeing into the surrounding pine forests. A group called “The Resistance Front” (TRF) has taken credit for the attack.
TRF is believed to be a branch of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan`s intelligence agency ISI is believed to have ties to the group.
In response to the attack, India decided on Wednesday to stop issuing visas to Pakistanis under the SAARC visa scheme. Along with this, Pakistanis who were in India under this visa were ordered to leave within 48 hours.
At the same time, India announced the closure of the crucial Attari land border with Pakistan and the suspension of the historic Indus Water Treaty. In addition, several orders were issued, including reducing the number of officials in the High Commissions of the two countries and returning them.
In response, Islamabad announced on Thursday the suspension of the 1972 Simla Agreement and the closure of the Wagah border. In addition to suspending all trade with India, Pakistan has decided not to allow New Delhi to trade with any third country using Pakistani soil. It has also announced the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft.
The two countries both claim Kashmir in full, but rule it in part. India has long accused Pakistan of helping Islamist separatists who have battled security forces in its part of the territory - accusations Islamabad denies.
Indian officials say Tuesday`s attack had "cross-border linkages". Kashmiri police, in notices identifying three people "involved" in the violence, said two of them were Pakistani nationals. India has not elaborated on the links or shared proof.
Pakistan said India`s accusations were made without any "credible investigation" or "verifiable evidence", saying they are "frivolous" and "devoid of rationality".
It has also called on India to refrain from a "reflexive blame game" and to take responsibility for its "failure to provide security" to people.
