Fri May 09 16:32:29 UTC 2025: ## India-Pakistan Tensions Flare Amidst Accusations of Cross-Border Terrorism

**NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD** – India and Pakistan are locked in a dangerous escalation of tensions, fueled by a series of recent drone attacks and accusations of cross-border terrorism. The conflict centers on India’s claims that Pakistan supports various armed separatist groups operating in the disputed Kashmir region.

The recent attacks have brought several groups to the forefront. The Resistance Front (TRF), a relatively new group claiming responsibility for a deadly April attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir (26 killed), is alleged by India to be a proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). While Pakistan denies supporting such groups, it has condemned the attack and called for an independent investigation. TRF, formed in 2019, has gained notoriety since the revocation of Article 370, which stripped Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status, and its subsequent attacks. India reports that TRF was responsible for the majority of armed fighter deaths in Kashmir in 2022.

LeT, a known entity with a long history of violence, is accused by India of involvement in numerous attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks (166 killed), the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, and the 2006 Mumbai train bombings (189 killed). While Pakistan maintains its government was not involved, it has acknowledged that some planning for the Mumbai attacks may have taken place within its borders. LeT’s founder, Hafiz Saeed, is currently serving a 31-year prison sentence in Pakistan for terror financing. India recently targeted what it claimed was LeT’s headquarters in Muridke, Pakistan.

Other groups implicated include Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack (40 Indian soldiers killed), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM), a long-standing Kashmiri separatist group. India claims that JeM continues to operate despite a Pakistani ban, and targeted its headquarters in Bahawalpur during recent strikes. HuM, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US, advocates for Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan.

The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan raise serious concerns about regional stability and the potential for further conflict. Both countries have accused the other of initiating attacks and supporting terrorist organizations, leading to a dangerous cycle of retaliatory actions. The international community is calling for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute.

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