NEW DELHI: Tension between India and Pakistan escalated sharply on Wednesday after three Indian fighter jets crashed in Indian Administrative Jammu and Kashmir, four Indian government sources told Reuters. The incident took place just hours after reports of Indian missile strikes targeting Pakistans' northern regions that brought the region on the brink of a military standoff.
Though confirmation of the crash of three jets has come from India, the circumstances of the incidents remain opaque. The spokesperson of Pakistan's military claims in total five Indian aircraft were shot down, though India has officially confirmed only the three crashes.
The crashes occurred in an area of high sensitivity and dispute which has been a long-standing flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The sudden escalation now invites grave apprehensions about a possible military engagement and risks of miscalculations all the more, considering conflicting narratives springing up from both sides.
Defense analysts have asserted that any kind of air engagement in the contested area would have extremely significant strategic and political implications. One remains unclear whether the crashes were induced by hostile engagements, or were caused due to technical failure, or were the result of direct strikes.
The Indian Air Force has yet to issue a detailed statement, and investigations into the causes are likely underway. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s armed forces remain on high alert, and diplomatic channels are reportedly being monitored closely by international observers.
This latest incident has intensified calls from global stakeholders urging restraint and de-escalation to avoid further instability in the South Asian region.
[Source Credit: Business Recorder]
