Azad Kashmir on High Alert Amid Escalating Tensions
The situation remains tense, with Pakistan's military on high alert and the government working to provide relief and compensation to affected areas. The conflict has also had an impact on regional sports and the economy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board deciding to shift the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League to the UAE and the country's stock market experiencing a record-breaking decline.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has suspended Saturday and Sunday holidays until further notice, amid escalating tensions near the Line of Control (LoC) and a mounting need for a coordinated emergency response. The move comes after a high-level meeting chaired by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who has directed cabinet ministers to oversee relief and compensation efforts in their constituencies.
The government has declared an immediate state of emergency, allocating all available resources to tackle the crisis. Three all-terrain ambulances have been dispatched to Neelum Valley and another to BHU Nausda, a health facility near the LoC. The suspension of weekend holidays aims to keep government departments fully mobilized to respond to the crisis, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 50 people and raised concerns about the potential for escalation.
The conflict between India and Pakistan has been ongoing, with India launching missile strikes on multiple locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan responding by shooting down Indian aircraft. A mosque in Kotli, Azad Kashmir, was hit by an Indian missile strike, killing two siblings and injuring two others. The strike has left the city in a state of fear, with residents reporting that the usually bustling streets are now silent and shops are shuttered.
The international community has called for calm and urged both countries to engage in direct dialogue to de-escalate the situation. The US has urged restraint, while AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood has condemned India's unprovoked attacks on unarmed civilians, calling it a distraction from the core regional issue of the unresolved Kashmir dispute. The conflict has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on regional stability.