Islamabad, May 13, 2025 – Security sources in Pakistan have alleged that Indian forces initiated unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border separating Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, in what they describe as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. The reported incidents, which occurred late Saturday, have heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, already strained by recent cross-border violence.
According to Pakistani security officials, Indian troops engaged in small-arms fire across multiple sectors of the LoC, including areas near Kupwara and Poonch. The sources claim the firing disrupted a fragile truce brokered just hours earlier, following intense diplomatic efforts involving international mediators. No casualties were immediately reported, but the alleged violations have sparked concern among local communities living along the volatile frontier.
The LoC, a heavily militarized boundary stretching over 740 kilometers, has been a flashpoint for decades. Both India and Pakistan claim the entirety of Kashmir but control only parts of it, leading to frequent skirmishes. A ceasefire agreement, reaffirmed in February 2021, had reduced hostilities until recent months, when a deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 civilians, reignited tensions. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack, while India has pointed to cross-border militant groups.
Indian officials have not yet responded to the latest allegations but have previously accused Pakistan of initiating ceasefire violations to facilitate infiltration or provoke escalation. The Indian military has maintained that its responses are proportionate and aimed at maintaining security along the LoC.
Residents in border areas expressed unease as reports of gunfire surfaced. “We heard loud noises and saw flashes in the sky,” said a shopkeeper in a village near the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. “We just want peace so we can live without fear.” Similar sentiments were echoed across the border, where displaced families hope for a return to stability.
The alleged ceasefire breach comes at a time when both nations are under international scrutiny to de-escalate. Diplomatic channels, including military hotlines, remain active, with both sides urged to exercise restraint. Analysts warn that repeated violations could unravel the 2021 ceasefire agreement, risking broader conflict in a region already fraught with geopolitical complexities.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the LoC closely, with calls for dialogue to prevent further escalation. For now, the people of Kashmir, caught between the crossfire, await a resolution that restores calm to their divided homeland.
