‘Firing happens almost daily’: cross-border clashes in Kashmir reach highest levels in 15 years as Indo-Pakistan tensions fester

Ceasefire violation figures given by both sides vary wildly, but both show the same trend – a powerful surge over the past two years that has intensified this year

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Indian Border Security Force soldiers patrol the fence-line along the India-Pakistan border some 36 kms southwest of Jammu. Cross-border clashes between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan in Kashmir have reached the highest levels in 15 years. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:19pm, 12 Apr 2018Updated: 5:19pm, 12 Apr 2018

Cross-border clashes between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan in Kashmir have reached the highest levels in 15 years, figures from both sides show, with hundreds killed or wounded and no solution in sight.

The de facto border dividing the mountainous territory had been relatively quiet in the wake of a 2003 ceasefire between the South Asian neighbours, each of whom rule part of Kashmir but claim it in full.

But recently the number of ceasefire violations – loosely defined as shelling, gunfire or fighting – at the heavily militarised Line of Control (LOC) has been steadily increasing.

Independently confirmed data is virtually non-existent, and figures given by both sides can vary wildly. But both show the same trend – a powerful, sustained surge over the past two years that has intensified since the beginning of 2018.

Smoke rises after alleged shelling by Indian troops in the Nakial Sector of Pakistan-administered Kashmir in August 2015. Photo: AFP

Relatives grieve over the body of Sarjeel Sheikh, a civilian who was shot earlier this month during a protest near a gun battle in Khudwani village about 60km south of Indian controlled Kashmir. Photo: AP

According to India, the number of Pakistani violations rose from 152 in 2015 to 860 in 2017. Delhi recorded 351 incidents in January and February 2018 alone.

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