India/Pakistan: Fighting in Kashmir displaces at least 1000 people /update 1

Event

Clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops near the villages of Churunda, Silikot, and Tilawari (Jammu and Kashmir), have displaced at least 1000 people as of Sunday, February 25. According to local sources, fighting broke out along the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday, February 24, with heavy artillery being reportedly used by both sides for the first time since a ceasefire was implemented in 2003.

Tensions in the region remain high and additional clashes between Indian and Pakistani forces are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The cause of the latest bout of fighting between the two countries remains unclear. Tensions have been particularly high in the region following a militant attack on an Indian army camp on February 10-11, in which six soldiers died. India has accused Pakistan of arming and training militants responsible for the attack.

A ceasefire has been in place in Kashmir since 2003. However, over 800 incidents of ceasefire violations were reported in Kashmir in 2017 alone, resulting in the deaths of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the border. New Delhi and Islamabad both regularly accuse each other of initiating cross-border clashes.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Jammu and Kashmir, notably areas along the LoC, due to the significant risk of violence.