New Delhi : Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after last week’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed, key military officials of both the countries have spoken over hotline and New Delhi has warned Islamabad against “unprovoked violations” along the Line of Control (LoC).
The directors general of military operations of India and Pakistan spoke amid Pakistan’s unprovoked firing along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The conversation between the officials took place on Tuesday, sources said.
In another development, India closed its airspace to aircraft registered in Pakistan and those operated by Pakistani airlines. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued on Wednesday confirmed that Indian airspace will remain shut for Pakistani aircrafts from April 30 to May 23.
Pakistani troops engaged in unprovoked firing along the LoC and the International Border (IB).
The troops engaged in firing at multiple sectors across four border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the Indian forces to ‘respond effectively’, officials said.
The firing, which began with small arms, was reported from the Pargwal sector along the IB in Jammu district, and the Sunderbani and Naushera sectors in Rajouri district.
This marked the sixth consecutive night of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC.
Since the night of April 24, shortly after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty in response to the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops have been engaging in unprovoked firing at various locations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, starting from the Kashmir Valley.
On the same day, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, suspended trade and closed the Wagah border crossing, and warned that any attempt to divert water under the Indus Water Treaty would be considered an “Act of War”.
Meanwhile, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has called on both the countries “not to escalate” the conflict.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also expressed their deep concern over the escalation and called on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels.
