Artillery Barrage in Kashmir Kills Nine Civilians Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

An overnight artillery exchange between Indian and Pakistani forces along the Line of Control in Kashmir resulted in at least nine civilian deaths and dozens of injuries. The violence follows an April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, blamed on Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which led to Indian airstrikes on May 7. These events have escalated tensions, causing significant civilian casualties and disruptions, including airport closures and school shutdowns. Both nations are engaging in military posturing, while international responses remain limited.

Cross-Border Shelling Turns Deadly

The Himalayan region of Kashmir, long a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, witnessed one of its most violent nights in recent years as heavy artillery, mortar fire, and gunfire were exchanged across the LoC. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, local police official Adeel Ahmad confirmed that four civilians were killed and 12 others wounded in the Chakothi sector and surrounding areas. Residents described the shelling as unusually intense, with barrages continuing into the early hours of Friday.

“We’re used to hearing exchange of fire between Pakistan and India at the Line of Control, but last night was different,” said Mohammad Shakil, a resident of Chakothi.

On the Indian side, authorities reported that a woman was killed and two others injured in the Uri sector. This brings the total number of civilian deaths in India to 17 since Wednesday, according to Indian police and military sources. The Indian Army stated that Pakistani forces targeted multiple posts with artillery and mortars, prompting Indian troops to respond in kind.

Escalation Triggered by Tourist Attack

The current military standoff was sparked by a brutal attack on April 22 in the Indian-administered town of Pahalgam, where gunmen killed 26 civilians, most of them Hindu tourists. Indian authorities have blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for orchestrating the assault, alleging that two of the attackers were Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has denied any involvement.

In response, India launched a series of airstrikes on May 7 targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani territory. Pakistani officials reported that 31 civilians were killed in those strikes, including children, and claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets. India has not commented on the aircraft losses.

Civilian Toll Mounts on Both Sides

The human cost of the escalating conflict is becoming increasingly severe. In addition to the nine civilians killed overnight, the Indian Army has reported a total of 13 civilian deaths and 59 injuries since the exchanges began earlier this week. Pakistani officials have reported 32 deaths on their side since Wednesday, including those from the Indian airstrikes.

In the Indian town of Poonch, residents have fled en masse or taken shelter in bunkers. Sarfaraz Ahmad Mir, a local resident, said Pakistani shelling killed his 11-year-old twin cousins. “This shouldn’t have happened,” he said. “They shouldn’t have targeted civilians at all.”

Widespread Disruption and Fear

The violence has disrupted daily life across northern India and Pakistan. In India, 24 airports have been temporarily closed, and schools in several states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir, have been shut for at least two days. A cricket match in Dharamsala was abruptly halted and the stadium evacuated after panic spread among the 10,000-strong crowd.

In Pakistan, border towns remain on high alert, with many residents seeking refuge in safer areas. Sirens were heard in several villages near the LoC, and the Pakistani military has claimed to have downed 25 Indian drones in recent days, though these claims have not been independently verified.

Information Warfare and Censorship

Amid the military escalation, the Indian government has ordered the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to block access to over 8,000 accounts, including those of international news organizations. X described the move as censorship and a violation of free speech. The platform briefly blocked its own Global Affairs account in India after receiving a legal demand from the government.

Strategic Posturing and International Reactions

Both India and Pakistan appear to be engaging in calculated military posturing. Analysts suggest that India’s airstrikes were intended to demonstrate resolve without triggering a full-scale war, while Pakistan’s retaliatory artillery fire serves to maintain domestic and international credibility.

Despite the rising death toll and the risk of further escalation, international responses have so far been limited. U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that the conflict is “none of our business,” emphasizing that the U.S. would not intervene in what he described as a regional issue.

References

• Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight
• Multiple explosions, blackout in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Jammu city
• India and Pakistan trade attacks amid risk of war between nuclear states
• Indian, Pakistani troops swap intense artillery fire overnight
• India reports strikes on military bases, Pakistan denies any role
• Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight