The risk of escalation between two nuclear armed countries is authentic | Photo: olegd/shutterstock
Let’s straighten one thing. The India-Pakistan border is not a map line, but a fault line, which escalates quickly again and trembles, but for those who understand the past behind the relationship between the two countries, that is no surprise.
It all began in 1947, followed by a violent division into two countries after its independence from Britain. However, the main focus is Kashmir, the Himalayan region that both countries argue.
The current conflict began on April 22, when gunmen fired fire on tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 people. India has identified the three attackers as Pakistanis and accused them of being terrorists who are opposed to the majority of Muslims of Kashmir of India.
India, which has long accused Pakistan of supporting Muslim separatists, has vowed to quickly downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspend a critical water-sharing treaty. Pakistan banned Indian planes from the airspace and halted trade across borders.
Pakistan has denied involvement, calling for a reliable, neutral investigation into the attacks and warned that it is preparing for a humanitarian response in the event of further escalation.
“To the edge of the earth”
Under pressure from the raging people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to hunt the perpetrators “to the edge of the earth.”
The authorities later claimed that India launched Operation Sindore “despite the structure of the terrorist.” This Wednesday includes a barrage of missiles to Pakistan’s territory, blessed with Modi threats. CNN has been confirmed. However, news reports say the rockets descended into the mosque and clinic.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Defense claimed that the strike was “measured” and avoided military targets, but the allegations have raised doubts on ordinary evidence, including dozens of dead civilians.
A Pakistani military spokesman told Reuters that 24 strikes hit six locations, killing 26 civilians and wounding dozens more. In Bahawalpur, resident Muhammad Sabir said of the confusion:
Pakistan claims it has shot down five Indian fighter jets, considered the worst battle between two nuclear-armed enemies for over 20 years.
“Comic attacks… a robust response”
Pakistan Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif also didn’t write any words down. “The fraudulent enemy has made a coronavirus attack,” he vowed to “a robust response” in a statement.
The escalation has led to UN Antonio Guterres being “very worried” and “the biggest military detention.”
South Asian analyst Michael Kugelman told Reuters: “Given the scale of India’s strike, we can expect a significant Pakistan response.”
“The risk of escalation is real.”
Kugelman reiterated that he should not believe this is not just a terrorist camp. “These are two powerful forces that are not afraid of nuclear weapons deploying a significant level of traditional military force with each other, even as deterrents,” Kugelman said. “The risk of escalation is real. And they can increase significantly and can increase quickly.”
India reported briefings for the US, UK and Russia, informed of global interests, and Pakistan appealed to the UN Security Council. The world is turning to this conflict as both sides are armed with teeth and nuclear weapons play.
The history behind this conflict
1965: Second War over Kashmir: The Pakistani army, still seeking control of Kashmir, has crossed over to parts of India, a conflict zone. The Indians responded with military intrusions across the boundary or border known as the Radcliff Line, which ran from Punjab to Gujarat and Sindh.
The battle expanded to many settled boundaries outside Kashmir and saw pitched battles It includes ground and air forces, as well as some of the biggest tank battles in history.
1971: War against East Pakistan: Neighbors fought a third war over Pakistan’s eastern region, where local groups sought independence from the federal government. Thousands of people died in the conflict, ended in India, helping to withdraw from the region and creating an independent state in Bangladesh.
1999: Kargil War: After Pakistani forces penetrated into India-controlled Kashmir, the country faced off in Kargil. It was the first clash since both officially acquired nuclear weapons capabilities and increased the risk of a catastrophic war.
A little more context
At independence, the country splits along religious lines, with Pakistan primarily Muslims and India choosing secular democracy for its predominantly Hindu population. The new border drawings by the British uprooted almost 14 million people and led to as many as 1 million sectarian violence.
India and Pakistan have fought war ever since. Two of them had many skirmishes in between through Kashmir. Pakistani leaders have seen India as an existential threat since its division. Some believe that India still has hopes to reverse the division.
Today they face off along the de facto boundary of 740 kilometers, one of the world’s most militarized zones. The region also includes two regions managed by China and claimed by India.
