Kashmir conflict escalates: is the next war between India and Pakistan?

Kashmir conflict escalates: is the next war between India and Pakistan?

On May 3, 2025, Pakistan successfully tested a new type of weapon system, the Abdali rocket. This start of training not only underlines Pakistan's technological performance, but also the growing tensions between India and Pakistan. The Abdali rocket has a range of 450 kilometers and is part of Pakistan's efforts to ensure the operational readiness of its armed forces and to validate technical parameters such as an advanced navigation system, such as radioeuskirchen.de reported.

These developments happen in the context of a devastating security situation in Kashmir. On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack occurred there, in which 26 people, including 24 Indian tourists, were killed. The Pakistani government is responsible for the attack and suspects that an offshoot of the Islamist terrorist organization lashkar-e toiba is behind the attack. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately reacted by calling up his security cabinet and examining military options. As a result, there were numerous firing changes along the ceasefire line between the Indian and Pakistani armed forces.

The reactions of India and Pakistan

In the past few days, India has unilaterally suspended the Indus water contract with Pakistan, which is a significant threat to the already tense relationship between the two countries. In addition, all flights from and from Pakistan were temporarily closed to Indian airlines, and India prohibited the import of goods from Pakistan for national security reasons. For his part, Pakistan denies all responsibility for the terrorist attack and warns of the possible aggressions of India, such as NZZ.CH documented.

This escalation is part of a long-term conflict that originated in the division of British India in 1947. Kashmir, a controversial region with a Muslim majority, is the scene of a geopolitical competition between India, Pakistan and China. India has waged three wars against Pakistan since 1947, two of which were in control of cashmere. The region is not only raised militarily, but also of strategic importance, since three nuclear powers meet here.

The geopolitical location

The Kashmir conflict has further tightened since Prime Minister Modi's office in 2014. In 2019, India raised Kashmir's autonomy status and divided the region into two Union territories. This decision led to further protests and tensions in the already complex security situation. Experts warn that a military attack in India on alleged terrorbases in Pakistan could lead to a dangerous counter strike, which increases the risk of a larger conflict, as well as Aargauerzeitung.ch explained.