Pakistan’s Prime Minister declared on Wednesday that Pakistan has “made its response” to Indian military strikes carried out following the killing of several soldiers in Pahalgam region in Indian-administered Kashmir. His statement marked an intensification of tensions between their two nuclear-armed neighbors and brought back concerns for regional stability in South Asia.
At a press briefing in Islamabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made clear Pakistan had exercised its right to respond “decisively yet responsibly” after Indian forces launched precision strikes across the Line of Control earlier this week, apparently in response to an ambush and killing of four Indian Army personnel near Pahalgam – an area known for insurgent activity.
“Pakistan has responded in accordance with its national defense protocols,” noted Prime Minister Sharif without offering further details regarding Pakistan’s retaliatory measures or locations of its actions. Our forces remain vigilant and our message to provocation will be met head on.”
Indian officials have neither confirmed or denied reports of cross-border strikes by Indian forces; however, local media outlets have reported limited strikes targeting suspected militant launchpads near the LoC. Meanwhile, India continues to accuse Pakistan of supporting militant infiltration across their border–an allegation that Islamabad denies.
A renewed exchange of hostilities between India and Pakistan has triggered international alarm, prompting the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson to urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint. He suggested peaceful dialogue as the best method of settling their differences and avoid actions which might escalate conflict further.
Defense analysts warn that the latest round of violence could escalate quickly without diplomatic channels being activated quickly. Given both countries are involved in an enduring territorial dispute over Kashmir, any military escalation–however minor–carries with it serious repercussions and risks worsening relations.
Pakistanis saw Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s remarks as an attempt to rally domestic support amid rising nationalist sentiment. Meanwhile, Indian government officials have made statements asserting that any loss of life among their forces will be met with “appropriate retribution”.
As tensions on the LoC continue to escalate, regional observers are closely watching developments. Both Washington and Beijing have issued calls for calm from both countries, calling on them to reduce tensions by prioritizing dialogue over escalated action.