Latest Update of India and Pakistan War

Fighting on Kashmir Frontier Spreads to Jammu: Tensions Escalate Along the LoC

May 13, 2023 | Srinagar/Jammu

The Kashmir conflict has taken a new turn, as cross border firing and shelling shifts focus towards the Jammu region. This indicates an unsettling shift in the battle along the Line of Control (LoC) India and Pakistan share.

The Rajouri and Poonch districts had experienced a temporary calm until Monday, when both regions were engaged on a heavy crossfire between Indian and Pakistani forces. The fighting is reported to have continued throughout Tuesday morning. The border district residents have also been reported to be using protective cover and aiding evacuations.

A Dangerous Escalation

The Indian Command claims Pakistan was the aggressor in one sided bombardment India by small arm and mortar fire. “The provocation was met with a strong and proportionate response,” remark Lt. Gen. Anil Chouhan in regards to the indiscriminate shelling India had faced. “Our soldiers are constantly patrolling the border and every action from the neighboring country is under scrutiny.”

Military Mobilization Increases

In response to the recent aggressive maneuver from both nations, all forward positioned troops along with military assets have been further reinforced. Reports indicate that India has added drone reconnaissance to its artillery positions while Pakistan has intensified its aerial LoC patrols.

Indian defense sources claim radar jamming and suspected drone incursions have been recorded in the publicly claimed Indian territories of Samba and Kathua. “It’s not just shelling anymore. Multi-tiered structures of psychological operations to cross domain interference are on full display,” commented a Northern Command officer.

In the South and Western parts of India controlled Jammu and Kashmir, India has further activated the Unified Command framework which brings the Army, BSF, and the local police under one command for streamlined operations.

Civilian Preparedness and Fallout

The civilian toll is ever-increasing. Active evacuation drills are taking place alongside bunker reactivation in bordering villages. The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has issued red alerts indicating potential escalation of violence in five bordering districts.

On the other hand, the exacerbated humanitarian landscape does not go unnoticed. Local NGOs decry seeing increased incidences of trauma related ailments among children and elderly. Life becomes exceedingly difficult due to scheduled power cuts and damaged infrastructure.

Political Fallout and National Rhetoric

In India, the government has taken a firm stance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a rally in Gujarat, stated: “We will not tolerate attacks on our soil. Every shell that lands in our villages will be answered decisively.” His comments were echoed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited army installations in Udhampur and praised the army's “unshakable courage.”

In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee. Addressing the National Assembly, he accused India of “undermining regional peace” and urged international bodies to intervene. Pakistan's foreign office has also formally lodged a protest with the Indian high commission in Islamabad.

International Reaction and Diplomatic Engagement

The United Nations, while reiterating its call for peace, has reportedly reached out to both nations through backchannel diplomacy. China, which shares borders with both India and Pakistan, has expressed concern and offered to mediate — a proposal India has previously rejected.

The United States and the European Union have urged both sides to honor the 2021 ceasefire pact and prioritize dialogue. In Washington, the State Department spokesperson noted, “A conflict in Kashmir does not serve the interests of the people in the region and poses risks to global stability.”

Local Militancy and Infiltration Attempts

Security agencies in India believe that the rise in cross-border firing may be linked to infiltration attempts by armed militants. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, at least three infiltration bids were foiled in April, with recoveries of arms and narcotics. “The pattern suggests a shift in tactics — using artillery fire to distract and cover movement through forested belts,” said DGP R.R. Swain.

Intelligence reports also indicate that new training camps have become active across the border in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian security forces are on heightened alert for any attempt to revive militant operations in the Pir Panjal region.

Media Warfare and Disinformation Campaigns

Both countries' media outlets have launched aggressive coverage of the conflict, often amplifying nationalist sentiment. Indian television channels have shown visuals of army retaliations and civilian evacuations, while Pakistani media broadcasts portray Indian shelling as unjustified aggression.

Social media platforms have become battlegrounds of misinformation, with fake videos, AI-generated content, and manipulated images circulating widely. Fact-checking organizations in both nations have flagged hundreds of such posts in the past week alone.

Impact on Trade, Travel, and Regional Ties

The escalation is likely to derail already fragile people-to-people contacts between India and Pakistan. The ongoing suspension of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and Samjhauta Express train had already limited interaction. Now, cross-LoC trade — once a key confidence-building measure — remains halted.

Business communities, especially in border areas, are also feeling the pinch. “There was some optimism about trade opening up again. This escalation has crushed that hope,” said a trader from Jammu’s RS Pura sector.

Religious pilgrimages such as the annual Kartarpur Sahib corridor movement are under review, and further restrictions may follow if violence continues.

Conclusion: The Clock is Ticking

With both armies entrenched and political rhetoric hardening, the risk of miscalculation remains dangerously high. While neither side appears to seek full-scale war, the current pattern of escalation — marked by shelling, infiltration attempts, and geopolitical maneuvering — suggests that peace in the region is as fragile as ever. Analysts warn that without urgent diplomatic efforts and international mediation, the conflict could spiral beyond control — with devastating consequences not just for the subcontinent, but for broader global stability.