Exchange of Fire Along Kashmir’s Line of Control Between India, Pakistan
The exchange, occurring between 1:30 AM and 2:30 AM local time, involved small arms fire.
KASHMIR — On April 25, 2025, tensions flared along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, with reports of cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani forces in the Leepa sector of Jhelum Valley.
Escalating Tensions Between India and Pakistan Following the Pahalgam Terror Attack
INDIA/PAKISTAN — The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, has significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a series of unprecedented retaliatory measures by India.
The exchange, occurring between 1:30 AM and 2:30 AM local time, involved small arms fire, according to three Indian officials cited by Reuters. An Indian officer stated that Pakistani forces initiated the firing, violating an existing truce agreement. No casualties were reported.
Key Developments
2025-04-25, 01:30–02:30 IST: Pakistani forces allegedly opened fire on Indian positions in the Leepa sector, according to Indian officials.
2025-04-25, 08:00 UTC: Kashmir official Syed Ashfaq Gilani confirmed post-to-post firing but noted no civilian impact, with normalcy maintained and schools operational.
2025-04-25, 06:00 UTC: Indian Army reported a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora, targeting terrorists, with a firefight ensuing after contact was established (Indian Army).
Strategic Context
The LoC, dividing Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, remains a flashpoint for military skirmishes despite ceasefire agreements. The recent exchange follows unverified social media claims of a blockage on the Indus River, which lack credible evidence and require further investigation (Pending Verification).
Fact-Checking Summary
Claim: Pakistan blocked the Indus River. Likelihood: Low to medium – No credible evidence supports this claim from OSINT accounts, though we see eyewitness accounts reporting the water levels dropping. (Pending Verification).
Claim: Pakistan violated the truce by firing across the LoC. Likelihood: High – Indian officials and Reuters confirm the incident.
Claim: Firing targeted civilian areas. Likelihood: Low – Kashmir official Syed Ashfaq Gilani confirmed no civilian impact.
Statements Summary
On April 25, 2025, at 01:30 IST, Pakistani forces allegedly fired on Indian positions in the Leepa sector, violating a truce, per Indian officials. Syed Ashfaq Gilani confirmed the overnight post-to-post firing but emphasized no civilian disruption, with schools remaining open. The Indian Army reported a separate operation in Bandipora targeting terrorists, resulting in a firefight.
Official Statements
Indian Army Statement (April 25, 2025, 06:00 UTC): “On 25 Apr 2025, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Search Operation was launched by Indian Army and JmuKmr Police in general area Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora. Contact was established and firefight ensued.”
Kashmir Official Syed Ashfaq Gilani (April 25, 2025, 08:00 UTC): “There is post-to-post firing in Leepa valley overnight. There is no firing on the civilian population. Life is normal. Schools are open.”
