02 Mar 2019 | 05:29 PM UTC
India: Gunfire heard near army camp in Shopian district (Kashmir) March 2
Security forces fire weapons after seeing suspicious movement near Indian army camp in Shopian district (Jammu and Kashmir state) March 2; affected area cordoned off for search operation
Event
Gunfire was heard at an Indian army camp in Shopian district (Jammu and Kashmir state) on the evening (local time) of Saturday, March 2. Security forces reportedly fired their weapons after seeing suspicious movement near the camp and have cordoned off the affected area to launch a search operation. Earlier reports of militants assaulting a military base in Shopian district have not been corroborated. A heightened security presence is to be expected in Shopian district over the coming hours.
Context
These reports come amid significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes on a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp near Balakot (Pakistan) on February 26. Indian officials claim the strikes were a "pre-emptive, non-military" strike in response to credible intelligence that JeM was planning another suicide attack in India. A series of cross-border airstrikes and artillery shelling began, resulting in India shooting down one Pakistani jet and Pakistan shooting down two Indian planes, capturing one of the pilots on February 27. The pilot was returned to Indian authorities at the border on March 1.
JeM recently claimed responsibility for a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack in Pulwama district (Jammu and Kashmir state) on February 14, killing at least 40 Indian paramilitary officers. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
India and Pakistan both claim sovereignty over Kashmir, which has been the focus of periodic violent conflict since 1947.
Advice
Individuals in Kashmir are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the affected area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.
Some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Kashmir, notably including areas along the Line of Control (LoC), due to the significant risk of violence.
