In Kashmir, there is ‘hysteria, panic and confusion’ as Pakistan and India walk tightrope between war and peace
- Kashmir has been a major flashpoint since the end of British rule in the subcontinent in 1947
- India has 500,000 troops stationed in the region to counter an armed insurgency by separatists
Kashmir has been a major flashpoint since the end of British rule in the subcontinent in 1947. A ceasefire line divides it between India and Pakistan, but both claim the Himalayan region in its entirety. Kashmir has endured hostilities during three India-Pakistan wars, as well as a limited conflict in 1999. India has 500,000 troops stationed in the region to counter an armed insurgency by separatists seeking either independence or a merger with Pakistan.
On February 14, at least 40 paramilitaries were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. It was the deadliest militant attack there in three decades, and was claimed by Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi threatened a “jaw-breaking” response after the bombing.
On February 26, Indian warplanes crossed the Kashmir ceasefire line into Pakistani airspace, dropping bombs on what New Delhi described as a large JeM camp where militants were preparing to stage more attacks in India.
On February 27, Pakistani jets flew across the Kashmir ceasefire line in what Islamabad described as a show of strength, hitting open spaces after locking on to military targets. But there was a dramatic escalation when the Pakistani planes were chased by Indian fighters. In the ensuing fight, both sides claimed to have shot down each other’s warplanes.
The crisis has prompted alarm throughout the region and around the world – but Kashmiris have become accustomed to living under the permanent shadow of violence.