KKN Gurugram Desk | In a fresh instance of cross-border ceasefire violation, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of the 5 FD Regiment was martyred in Pakistani firing in the Poonch sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army confirmed the loss and issued a statement honoring his sacrifice.

“The GOC and all ranks of the White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar of 5 FD Regiment,” read the statement.

This tragic event underscores the volatility along the Line of Control (LoC) and brings into focus the human cost of unresolved India-Pakistan tensions.

Rising Hostilities: Ceasefire Violations Surge Again

Despite a 2021 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, sporadic violations have continued—especially in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors. In 2024 alone, India recorded over 150 instances of unprovoked firing from across the border. These attacks often target military posts, civilian homes, and infrastructure, creating a climate of perpetual fear in border areas.

According to defense analysts, the resurgence of shelling in Poonch could be a response to increased counter-insurgency operations launched by the Indian Army in the region.

 Who Was Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar?

Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar was a dedicated soldier known for his discipline, bravery, and commitment to duty. Posted in one of the most volatile regions along the LoC, he was part of routine patrol and observation when the unprovoked Pakistani fire fatally struck.

Tributes poured in from fellow soldiers, senior officers, and civilians across the country. His sacrifice is yet another reminder of the silent war being fought at the nation’s borders.

 Mehbooba Mufti Appeals for Peace, Criticizes Military Escalation

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti responded to the Poonch incident with an urgent plea to both India and Pakistan to halt retaliatory attacks and return to the negotiating table.

“In this war, innocent children are dying. What is their fault? What wrong have women committed to suffer the consequences of this bloodshed?” said Mufti during a press briefing.

She emphasized that events like Pulwama and Pahalgam are not isolated but part of a larger cycle of violence that continues to spiral out of control.

 “This Has to Stop”: Mufti Calls Out Endless Tit-for-Tat

Mufti’s comments came as tensions along the border once again gripped media headlines. Referring to past escalations, she said:

“After Pulwama, there was Balakot. After Pahalgam, we are seeing yet another retaliatory operation. Where is this heading? How long can we justify bloodshed on both sides?”

Her statement is rooted in the belief that military solutions do not address the core political issues between India and Pakistan. She called for political intervention, diplomatic outreach, and restraint from both governments.

“Talk to Each Other”: A Direct Message to PM Modi and PM Sharif

Calling for urgent bilateral engagement, Mehbooba Mufti asked both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to speak over the phone.

“Prime Minister Modi himself had once said that the era of war is over. If that’s true, then let’s act on it. Let the two Prime Ministers speak directly. A phone call can save hundreds of lives.”

She further added that the people living along the LoC, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, live in constant fear of sudden shelling, displacement, and death.

Ground Reality: Fear and Displacement in Border Villages

People in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors report rising anxiety and sleepless nights. Several families have fled their homes in fear of another exchange of fire. Local sources mention:

• Schools shut down

• Markets deserted

• Daily wage laborers out of work

• No shelters for civilians

Villagers say there’s no guarantee that a ceasefire will be honored for long, and many live in underground bunkers during escalation periods.

🇮🇳 Official Government Stand: Strategic Silence or Calculated Diplomacy?

While the Indian Army has responded strongly to the Pakistani firing, the Ministry of External Affairs has yet to make a detailed public statement on the current escalation. Analysts believe this might be part of a measured response strategy to avoid giving Pakistan international leverage.

In contrast, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has accused India of aggression without acknowledging their ceasefire violations—continuing a pattern of mutual blame without reconciliation.

 Context: What Led to This Recent Escalation?

Recent intelligence inputs suggest attempts by infiltrators to cross the LoC have increased, particularly through Poonch. The Indian Army has intensified surveillance, drone deployment, and thermal imaging-based patrolling—possibly triggering a response from across the border.

Additionally, Pakistan’s internal instability, including protests, inflation, and economic turmoil, may be fueling diversionary tactics along the LoC to consolidate domestic support.

Political Reactions Pour In

Beyond Mufti, other political leaders have weighed in:

• Congress leaders slammed Pakistan, calling the attack an “act of cowardice” and said “the price of sin will be paid.”

• BJP officials emphasized the need for strong retaliation, with some calling for a repeat of surgical strikes if violations continue.

• Defense experts urged caution, citing risks of wider conflict.

 Global Perspective: What the International Community Says

So far, the UN has not issued a statement, though diplomatic observers say any sustained escalation could trigger intervention from:

• United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)

• The United States and China, who maintain strategic relations with both nations

Countries across the world are urging calm, de-escalation, and a return to ceasefire protocols signed in February 2021.

Root Problem: Can Kashmir Ever Be Peaceful Without Dialogue?

The Kashmir conflict has been one of the longest unresolved territorial disputes in modern history. Despite decades of diplomacy, war, and insurgency, the core issues of:

• Territorial claims

• Political autonomy

• Human rights concerns

• Cross-border terrorism

…remain unsettled. Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks highlight the growing belief that continued military responses can only suppress symptoms, not heal the cause.

As the sun sets over the hills of Poonch, another Indian soldier is laid to rest, another family mourns, and yet another ceasefire is breached. Amid rising rhetoric and television debates, it is critical we pause to ask:

How many more Dinesh Kumars? How many more grieving mothers and displaced children?

If peace is the ultimate goal, then dialogue must replace shelling, and statesmanship must replace vengeance.