As attacks on both sides continued to escalate, citizens of Kashmir were expecting the worst - with the attacks killing more than 60 people and forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
South China Morning Post
Following deadly attacks in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on 22 April 2025 that killed 26 tourists, tensions escalated between India and Pakistan at a quick speed. Following the attacks, India was quick to blame Pakistan for the attacks as 25 out of 26 tourists that were killed were of Indian nationality. Although Pakistan quickly denied the allegations, on 7 May 2025, a full-fledged war broke out between the nations as diplomatic ties were broken and the decades-old Indus Water Treaty was suspended.
With this, attacks started on both sides in the early hours, which ultimately led to Pakistan closing its air space. As the attacks on both sides continued to escalate, citizens of Kashmir were expecting the worst. The attacks ultimately led to more than 60 deaths and forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes. However, on 4 May 2025, a sudden ceasefire announcement was made by US President Donald Trump. In his announcement, Donald Trump stated that India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire and the details would be worked out. However, just hours after the ceasefire was announced, India started accusing Pakistan of violating the agreement. The chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, tweeted to say that there were drones spotted, claiming that there had been explosions in Jammu and Srinagar. Additionally, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has reacted, accusing Pakistan of violating the ceasefire, and saying the Indian armed forces have remained vigilant and have been asked to respond to any violations appropriately.
These accusations, which were denied by Pakistan, were made just hours before the countries settled on a land, sea, and air ceasefire. Although these allegations left many worried that the ceasefire would not last, Al Jazeera citing India’s ANI and PTI news agencies, reported that the situation appeared to have returned to normal in locations across Kashmir with the news further reporting that no drones, firing, or shelling was reported overnight in Poonch as well as Samba. Despite there seeming to be a truce between the nations for now, the Reuters agency reports that the suspension of visas along with trade and the Indus Waters Treaty continues to remain in place.
