India intensifies search for militants in Kashmir after deadly attack

Indian security forces are conducting widespread searches across Kashmir after a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, escalating tensions with Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of backing the militants, though Islamabad denies involvement. Both nations have taken retaliatory measures,

Indian security forces have launched extensive searches across Kashmir following a deadly militant attack that killed 26 people, marking the worst such attack in nearly two decades. The attack, which occurred in the scenic town of Pahalgam earlier this week, has raised tensions between India and Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of backing the militants responsible for the assault, a claim that Islamabad has strongly denied. The violence has sparked widespread outrage across India, with calls for strong action against Pakistan.

In response to the attack, India’s army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, visited the region to assess security arrangements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track down the perpetrators, stating that they will be pursued to "the ends of the earth". The attack has led to further escalations between the two nuclear-armed nations, with both countries taking retaliatory measures, including India suspending a critical river water-sharing agreement and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines, leading to disruptions in international flights.

Indian authorities have also begun demolishing the homes of suspected militants, including one linked to the Pahalgam attack. This action is part of a broader trend in states governed by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, where properties of alleged criminals, especially from the Muslim community, are being demolished. While India has identified Pakistani nationals as being involved in the attack, the country has yet to provide specific proof of cross-border links.

The tragic event has led to grief and sorrow across India, with victims hailing from various parts of the country. In Kashmir, sporadic gunfire was reported along the Line of Control, despite a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in 2021. As the investigation continues, fears of a potential military response by India against Pakistan are growing, recalling the 2019 airstrike in retaliation for a suicide bombing in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers.

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