A NUCLEAR conflict between India and Pakistan “could be devastating for the whole world” as the two powers continue to engage in conflict with each other, a top separatist leader in Kashmiri, Syed Ali Geelani, has declared.
As soldiers on both sides launch attacks along the contested border known as the Line of Control (LoC), Mr Geelani called for the two to “play a constructive role for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue”.
He added: "The risk of collision between the two nuclear powers will be devastating not only for the region, but for the whole world.”
The region of Kashmir has been contested for decades - the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and 1965 both revolved around competing claims for the area.
Officials declared yesterday that at least one civilian was killed and three were wounded as the conflict continues between the two nations.Shelling and gunfire was exchanged throughout Sunday that continued into the early hours of Monday.
Fighting continued later on Monday following a brief hiatus - the increased tensions have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
Two army officials from Pakistan confirmed that fighting continued in parts of Kashmir - however, they declared that they were only responding to attacks from India.
The tense situation on the border has led to both sides claiming they were responding to attacks from the other as tensions soar - both say provocations are a violation of a 2003 cease-fire agreement.
Arun Manhas, an Indian civilian official, stated that shelling from Pakistan destroyed an entire village along the contested border and claimed over 4,000 cows and buffaloes were moved to safer spots.
He claimed: "Damage to the huts and cattle is huge in the village. It was a daunting task to shift over 4,000 cows and buffaloes from the village along with about 1,200 residents who are mainly milk suppliers for the vast area.”
Most of the conflict between the two nations has taken place in the boundary separating the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir and the Pakistan province of Punjab.
However, the conflict is escalating to the more contentious zone of the LoC - the region of Kashmir is split into two nations by the border.
In total, India has evacuated “over 36,000” people from its border to escape heavy shelling from Pakistan.
The heavy fire has demolished buildings and killed cattle that is essential to the livelihood of many in the area.
Sub Divisional Police Officer, Surinder Choduhary, explained that the town of Arnia had been evacuated as part of a desperate effort to save residents from the escalating area of conflict.
He said: "Arnia town has been vacated. We have evacuated a large number of people from Arnia and border hamlets. Most of the hamlets are now vacated.
"Over 150 kullas (grass houses) have been gutted in the fire and several animals have perished in the fire triggered by Pakistan shelling.”
Arnia is a town in the region of Jammu and Kashmir that borders Pakistan - the area has been a source of rising tensions between the two South Asian nations.
Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, the deputy commissioner in the region of Jammu, declared that 58 villages in Arnia and Suchetgarh areas have all scrambled deeper into India for safety.
He explained: "Over 36,000 border dwellers have migrated from their homes.”