CALLS TO DE-ESCALATE
Muslim-majority Kashmir, a region of around 15 million people, is divided between Pakistan and India but claimed in full by both.
No group has claimed responsibility for the Apr 22 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, but rebels have waged an insurgency since 1989.
Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent probe.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who leads a Hindu ultra-nationalist government, said last week he has given his military “full operational freedom” to respond and Islamabad has warned it will respond with force to any aggression.
International pressure has been piled on both New Delhi and Islamabad – who have fought several wars over the disputed Kashmir region – to de-escalate.
US Vice President JD Vance has called on India to respond to the attack in a way “that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict”.
In an interview with Fox News, he also urged Pakistan to “make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with”.
Russia called for de-escalation between the two countries, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters on Monday that Moscow was “following with great concern the atmosphere that has developed on the border”.
“Pakistan is presenting its case to friendly countries,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters on a visit to Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Monday.
The two sides have exchanged nightly gunfire for more than a week along the militarised Line of Control, the de facto border, according to Indian defence sources.
In Indian-run Kashmir, a vast manhunt seeking the gunmen continues across the territory, while those living along the frontier are moving further away – or cleaning out bunkers fearing conflict.
On the Pakistani side, emergency drills have been carried out on playing fields, residents have been told to stock up on food and medicine, and religious schools have been closed.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/pakistan-conduct-second-missile-test-renewed-india-standoff-5109366
