India launched missile strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, including one child, and injuring 46. This was in response to the attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago (26 tourist deaths), for which India blames Pakistan, while Pakistan denies involvement. [1], [2], [3]
Pakistani bombings followed in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least 10 people and injuring 30, according to Reuters, with both countries exchanging fire along their border in the region.
In Indian-administered Kashmir, the residents do not want to be under Indian rule, and since 1989, attacks against India have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
The Responsibility for the April 22 attack was claimed by the Resistance Front (TRF), a faction of the Pakistani Islamist group LeT. The main reason cited for the attack was the thousands of residence and work permits granted to Indian citizens.
The root of the conflict between the two countries is their mutual claim over the entire Kashmir region, with both having fought three wars for control. The first war broke out in 1947 when the local governor chose to join India, but in 1949, a ceasefire was agreed upon, and both sides accepted the partition of Kashmir. The other two wars took place in 1965 and 1999.
Following the attacks, dozens of international flights were rerouted to avoid Pakistan’s airspace, and so far, over 52 flights to and from Pakistan have been canceled, according to FlightRadar24.