In a serious escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small-arms firing in multiple sectors across Jammu and Kashmir during the intervening night of April 29 and 30.
According to the Indian Army, ceasefire violations were reported in Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu region. Similar violations later extended to Baramulla and Kupwara districts in North Kashmir, as well as the Pargwal sector along the IB.
Villagers on Edge After Years of Peace
For villagers living near the LoC and IB, this marks a return to a troubling past after 7-8 years of relative calm.
Ankur Singh, a resident of Pargwal in Akhnoor, told media:
“About 10 to 12 rounds were fired last night. The Indian Army retaliated. We’re used to this, but currently we’re on high alert.”
Raju Singh, another villager, recounted:
“3-4 rounds were fired around 8:30 to 9 PM. We were working in our fields when we got a call to stop everything and rush back home. Half of our crops are still unharvested.”
Indian Army: ‘Proportionate Response’ Delivered
The Indian Army confirmed that its troops responded “swiftly and proportionately” to the provocations.
“During the night of April 29-30, Pakistani posts initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the LoC opposite Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. Our troops retaliated appropriately,” read an official statement.
Subsequent updates revealed that firing was also initiated by Pakistan in Baramulla and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir and in the Pargwal sector along the IB — a rare instance of simultaneous flare-ups across multiple sectors.
Strategic Context
This spike in cross-border tensions comes amid heightened security concerns following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 Indian tourists. The incident has reignited national focus on border security, and India’s armed forces are maintaining enhanced vigilance across all border sectors.