From Heaven to Hazard: Kashmir’s Descent into a Nuclear Crossfire

Kashmir, formerly famous for its breathtaking valleys and serene beauty, is today at the focal point of one of the world's most dangerous geopolitical standoffs. The region's latest crisis was sparked when a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Pahalgam India blamed Pakistan-based militants for-a charge Islamabad denied. India responded by striking targets within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir with missiles and drones, triggering days of intense cross-border shelling, air raid sirens, and civilian deaths.

 

The two nations, which are nuclear-armed, promptly escalated the combat, triggering global fears of a catastrophic conflict. Global intervention, led by the U.S., brokered a ceasefire, but ceasefire violations and explosions continued to rock Srinagar and Jammu, punctuating the fragile peace. The clash highlights the manner in which simmering territorial disputes and age-old suspicion have transformed Kashmir into a paradise lost-nuclear hot spot where any ignition would have global implications.

 

Source: Reuters, Al Jazeera, CBS News