On the night of April 30 to May 1, Pakistani troops once again violated the ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC), prompting retaliation from the Indian Army. The Pakistani forces initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the LoC, targeting areas in Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. This violation comes after rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, mainly tourists.

Earlier, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire in various areas, including Poonch, Baramulla, Naushera, and Sunderbani. In a related development, India’s relations with Pakistan further deteriorated when the government blocked Instagram accounts of Pakistani celebrities such as Hania Amir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar. The government also shut down over 15 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading misinformation and provocative content.

After the Pahalgam attack, both countries announced retaliatory actions. India closed the key Attari border, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and Pakistan responded by shutting its airspace for Indian flights and halting the Simla Agreement of 1972. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting attended by the service chiefs, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In response to the rising tensions, US State Secretary Marco Rubio held discussions with both Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging them to de-escalate tensions. Global leaders also condemned the Pahalgam attack and expressed support for Indias fight against terrorism. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres voiced concern over the escalating situation, emphasizing the need to prevent further conflict between the two nations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.