Shelling Reported Across Kashmir Border Amidst Heightened Tensions

Srinagar,  May 8, 2025 – Tensions remain high along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the disputed Kashmir region, as India and Pakistan reportedly exchanged artillery fire on Wednesday night.According to a statement released by Indian defense spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal in Jammu, the Pakistani army initiated the exchange by firing “small arms and artillery guns” across the LoC. The Indian army responded “proportionately” to the alleged firing.

This latest incident follows a period of increased cross-border exchanges, which escalated after a deadly massacre in April. Gunmen attacked a popular tourist destination in Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly  tourists.

Adding to the concern, earlier on Wednesday, an Indian defense source informed  about overnight shelling purportedly by the Pakistani military that tragically resulted in the death of 12 civilians and injuries to 57 others, according to reports from the Rajouri Times news agency.

The frequent exchange of gunfire across the LoC has become a near-daily occurrence since the April massacre, raising concerns about the fragile peace in the region. While official statements detail the exchange of fire, independent verification from the ground remains challenging. The recent surge in hostilities underscores the deep-seated tensions and the urgent need for de-escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging both sides to exercise restraint and seek peaceful dialogue to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute.