2019 Kashmir Conflict

The 2019 India–Pakistan standoff is an ongoing military conflict in the disputed Kashmir region and its neighboring provinces. The standoff had its roots in an attack that happened on 14 February 2019, when 40 Indian Central Reserve Police Force members were killed in a suicide bombing perpetrated by a militant from Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. The government of Pakistan condemned the attack and denied any involvement.

                                                              Map of Kashmir

In response, the Indian Air Force conducted air strikes on 26 February over the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir, the first such strikes since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Indian government stated that it had targeted a terrorist training camp and claimed that the strikes had killed several militants. The claims were disputed by the local residents of the targeted area and by the Pakistani military, which stated that there were no casualties or damage to infrastructure.

On 26 and 27 February, India and Pakistan exchanged fire across the LOC. Ten Indian soldiers were injured in the skirmishes. Four Pakistani civilians were killed in the shelling.

On 27 February, Pakistan conducted air strikes in Indian-administered Kashmir which did not cause any casualties or damage. Pakistan claimed that two Indian jets were shot down over Pakistani airspace and two pilots captured. India said that only one MiG-21 was lost and demanded the release of the pilot. India claimed to have shot down a Pakistani F-16, but Pakistan denied that. Pakistan later clarified that only one pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman, was captured, and was subsequently released on 1 March.

Background

India and Pakistan have long been at odds with the other, having engaged in several wars, conflicts, and various military standoffs. The roots of continued tension are complex, but have centered mainly around the state of Kashmir. After the 1947 Partition of India, the newly formed Pakistan and India squabbled over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which turned into the full-scale Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948. Partially at issue was the fact that the 1947 partition had not determined the final status of the princely state. The issue has proved intractable, leading to further war in 1965, as well as in 1971. Both nations are armed with nuclear weapons after developing them in the 1990's, which may have served to limit the severity of the 1999 Kargil War.

The 2019 Indo-Pakistan military standoff is in reaction to a terror attack in mid-February 2019, when a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Over 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and the perpetrator were killed in the attack, which Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility for. The attacker was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a local from Jammu and Kashmir, and a member of Jaish-e-Mohammed. This was the deadliest attack on Indian forces in Kashmir since 1989.

On 27 February, Pakistan cancelled all commercial flights and closed its airspace until the midnight of 28 February. A NOTAM was issued by the Civil Aviation Authority to close the airspace. Airlines were forced to reroute or cancel their flights with routes planned over Pakistan, leaving passengers stranded. On 01 March at 1140 UTC the NOTAM closing the airspace was extended until 0800 UTC on 04 March with 23 exceptions listed.

On 28 February, Samjhauta Express, a train that runs twice weekly between India and Pakistan, was suspended by the government of Pakistan. It was scheduled to depart from Lahore with 16 passengers who are now stuck at Lahore.

International Reaction

A number of nations, including Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, expressed their concern and/or called for restraint. Iran and Turkey have each offered to mediate the crisis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_India%E2%80%93Pakistan_standoff