India accuses Pakistan of violating ceasefire along Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, sparking fresh gunfire exchanges Saturday, Indian media report.

Pakistani forces allegedly fired at Indian posts Friday night, prompting retaliation from Indian troops. Clashes extended to Ladakh border, military statements confirm, intensifying already strained relations between nuclear-armed neighbors.

Tensions surged after Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 tourists. India blames Pakistan for supporting “cross-border terrorism,” a charge Islamabad denies. Attack claimed by Kashmir Resistance, has reignited decades-old conflict over disputed Himalayan territory with both nations claiming Kashmir in full.

In response, India suspended 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closed Attari-Wagah border crossing, and revoked visas for Pakistani citizens, except Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan retaliated, expelling Indian diplomats, canceling Indian visas and warning that blocking Indus River water would be considered “act of war.” Islamabad also closed airspace to Indian aircraft and halted bilateral trade.

Iran offered mediation with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressing Tehran’s readiness to foster dialogue. “India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors,” Araghchi posted on social media, emphasizing cultural ties. Saudi Arabia also engaged Pakistani officials to defuse tensions, AFP reports.

US President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One Friday, downplayed involvement, calling India-Pakistan rivalry “historic.” “They’ve fought over Kashmir for centuries. They’ll figure it out,” Trump said, noting close ties with both nations. Washington advised US citizens to avoid traveling within 10 kilometers of India-Pakistan border.

Humanitarian and Economic Toll

Escalation has stranded citizens on both sides. Pakistani national Akshay Kumar, who secured an Indian visa for a family wedding, was denied entry at Wagah border. “Indian authorities say no Pakistani citizens can enter,” Kumar said. Another Pakistani, visiting ailing father, pleaded, “They won’t let me return. Border security says go back.”

In Pakistan, protests erupted in Islamabad and other cities over India’s water treaty suspension. Demonstrators labeled India’s move “act of aggression,” demanding reversal or threatening retaliation. Analysts warn diplomatic friction now fuels border unrest, with water and visas turning into “weapons of war.”

Pahalgam’s Tourism Collapse

Pahalgam, once bustling with tourists, lies deserted after attack. Hotels and shops remain shuttered, streets empty. Local businesses, reliant on peak season from March to May, face uncertainty. “This attack didn’t just take lives; it crushed our economy,” a shopkeeper said. Thousands of tourists fled, leaving Kashmir’s scenic meadows under heavy security.

Before attack, Pahalgam drew thousands daily. Now, fear and political heat overshadow its beauty. “Silent mountains feel heavier,” a resident noted. Tourism, vital to local livelihoods, has halted, reflecting broader human and economic crisis in region.

Calls for Restraint

United Nations urged both nations to exercise “maximum restraint” after Friday’s gunfire. Analysts fear further escalation, recalling 2019 clashes when India conducted airstrikes in Pakistan after Pulwama attack. With both sides taking tit-for-tat measures, Kashmir remains flashpoint for potential conflict.

Read more: India-Pakistan Tensions: Balakot-Style Strike Preparations Amid Kashmir Attack Fallout

As New Delhi and Islamabad trade accusations, ordinary citizens bear brunt. Stranded travelers, paralyzed tourism, and looming water disputes underscore deepening rift. For now, Kashmir’s residents await return of peace, hoping diplomacy prevails over hostility.