​Fresh India-Pakistan border hostilities feared as Kashmir tourist attack opens old wounds

NEW DELHI – The killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir has reignited India-Pakistan tensions, with analysts warning of a possible escalation of hostilities between the two South Asian neighbours, which have gone to war twice before.

India has blamed Pakistan for the April 22 attack on tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, known as “mini Switzerland” for its alpine beauty. The killings shattered a period of relative calm in the restive region and dismayed residents, who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.

In just over 24 hours, New Delhi and Islamabad have downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled diplomats in tit-for-tat moves. New Delhi shut the only land crossing between the two countries, telling all Pakistani nationals…