Indian forces killed three suspected militants in southern Kashmir on Tuesday, marking the first major confrontation since last month’s deadly attack on Hindu tourists pushed India and Pakistan to the brink of war.
The clash occurred in the Keller forest, 65 kilometers from Pahalgam, the site of last month’s attack that killed 26 pilgrims. India has blamed Pakistan-based militants, a charge Pakistan denies.
The violence triggered a four-day exchange of missile, drone, and artillery strikes before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire brought a halt to the fighting on Saturday. President Donald Trump claimed his intervention prevented a potential “nuclear conflict.”
Pakistan’s military updated its death toll to 51, including 11 soldiers and 40 civilians, accusing India of “unprovoked” strikes. India reported 20 deaths, including five soldiers and 15 civilians.
Despite the ceasefire, the Indian Army vowed to continue its anti-militancy operations, calling the firefight a “search and destroy mission”. The identities of the militants were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan claimed it downed five Indian jets, though India denies any losses.
Tensions have escalated since India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy in 2019, fueling militancy and deepening the divide between the two nuclear-armed nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of “strong responses” to future attacks, while Pakistan maintains it is unfairly targeted.
Despite international calls for restraint, including from the U.S. and EU, the risk of further escalation remains high. The Kashmir conflict continues to simmer, with the fragile ceasefire standing as a temporary barrier against a potential flare-up in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
