Kashmir conflict escalates: four nights shots and massive arrests!

Kashmir conflict escalates: four nights shots and massive arrests!

Kaschmir, Indien - The tensions in the cashmere conflict between India and Pakistan remain tense. After a serious attack on 26 tourists on Tuesday, the situation in the region has escalated again. Reports by vienna.at The Indian army reacted to "unprofitable" shelling from Pakistan on the de-facto-border. This sharp argument has already lasted four nights, but no victims have so far been reported.

The Indian armed forces were described as "fast and effective" in their reaction. Around 500 people were arrested as part of the security measures in the region and around 1,000 houses and some forest areas were searched. The regional authorities warned a prudent procedure for the security forces.

a complex network of allegations

India blames Muslim terrorists who are connected to Pakistan for the attack, whereas Pakistan denies every involvement. This precarious situation leads to a number of escalations between the two nuclear states. India decided to suspend the Indus water contract with Pakistan, while Pakistan blocked its airspace for Indian airlines.

In addition, Pakistani citizens have to leave India by Tuesday, and several Indian diplomats were declared undesirable by Pakistan. Visa for Indian citizens, with the exception of Sikh pilgrims, were canceled, which further reinforced the border closure and the trade stop.

Kashmir has been a controversial area between India and Pakistan since 1947, with both countries claiming the area for themselves. China asked both sides to show restraint, while experts do not rule out military escalation. The united nations also appeal to both countries to "practice the greatest possible reluctance".

regional dimensions of conflicts

The tense conditions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have also tightened, especially since the end of 2023. On December 24, the Pakistani Air Force carried out attacks in the Afghan province of Paktika, which aimed at alleged hiding places of the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-E-Taliban Pakistan-TTP). According to the information from taz.de , about 50 people died, more than half of them women and children.

Afghan government officials condemned the attacks as aggression, which continues to burden the already complicated story and relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. After another incident on December 28, where Afghan Taliban units attacked Pakistani goals, 19 Pakistani soldiers and five Afghan civilians were killed. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, said that a "red line" had been exceeded.

The TTP describes the United Nations as "associated with al-Qaida" and is considered one of the greatest threats to Pakistan. It is estimated that the TTP has between 30,000 and 35,000 members. The situation on the border regions therefore remains tense and could easily tighten if no diplomatic solutions are found.