At least six civilians and two Pakistani soldiers were killed in the latest exchange of artillery fire between India and Pakistan along the disputed Kashmir frontier. The fighting took place a day after Pakistan returned a captured air force pilot back to India.
Tension between India and Pakistan recently escalated after a suicide bomb attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitary police officers, with the Pakistan-backed militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claiming responsibility. India retaliated by carrying out airstrikes on “militant camps” inside Pakistan. The next day Pakistan shot down two Indian military jets and captured a pilot.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan warned of the risks of nuclear war, while his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi called on his people to “stand as a wall”.
There are signs tensions may be easing – media said the suspended India-Pakistan train service has been resumed and Pakistan has announced it will re-open its closed airspace.
