In a significant escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistan Army troops opened fire at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, just hours before Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s scheduled visit to Srinagar and Udhampur. According to sources cited by PTI, Pakistan initiated unprovoked small arms fire at several LoC positions, in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to violate the ceasefire agreement. The Indian Army responded swiftly and effectively.
General Dwivedi’s visit aims to assess the security situation in the region and engage with senior Army commanders and intelligence officials to review Pakistan’s recent ceasefire violations. The timing of the firing is particularly notable, as it comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
In response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism, India has launched a series of stringent diplomatic and strategic countermeasures. A high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, resulted in the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan ceases its backing of terror activities.
Furthermore, India has shut down the Attari Integrated Check Post, expelled several officials from the Pakistani High Commission by declaring them persona non grata, and revoked all visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), giving Pakistani nationals 48 hours to exit the country.
These developments underscore a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations, with India making it clear that it will no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism or ceasefire violations.
