[…] In my view, India was the first to use force in clear violation of UN Charter Article 2(4). This serious violation committed against Pakistan just a few months before Indian national elections, could be the opening of a negotiated settlement of the conflict at the heart of the crisis, the dispute over Kashmir.
India’s initial attack on 26 February was announced as a “pre-emptive” strike following a 14 February suicide bombing attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) that killed at least 40 paramilitary troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir. JeM’s aim is to force India out of Kashmir. Following the bombing, India launched air strikes for the first time since 1971 on Pakistan proper. India also stepped up mortar attacks in Kashmir that reportedly killed 6 civilians and injured many more on the Pakistani side of the line. India also increased its repressive tactics against residents on its side of the Line of Control.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan denied that Pakistan bears responsibility for JeM and pledged to investigate if credible evidence indicating otherwise could be provided. Instead, India bombed. It said the bombs landed in open fields, killing no one. Damage was done to the natural environment, something international lawyers often fail to add to the cost of military force. Prime Minister Khan called India’s attack “eco-terrorism”. Läs artikel