Will IMF Reimbursement to Pakistan Deter Hostilities with India?

Synopsis
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, voices deep concerns regarding the IMF's financial support to Pakistan, arguing it will exacerbate tensions with India. As violence escalates in the region, the humanitarian impact grows. What are the implications for peace in the subcontinent?
Key Takeaways
- Omar Abdullah raises alarms over IMF's financial support to Pakistan.
- The ongoing conflict has caused significant civilian casualties and damage.
- Indian forces are actively responding to threats along the LoC.
- Authorities have imposed a complete blackout in Jammu.
- Educational institutions and markets are closed due to security concerns.
Jammu, May 10 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Omar Abdullah, raised significant alarms on Saturday regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reimbursement to Pakistan, asserting that it will not contribute to reducing tensions between India and Pakistan.
“I’m puzzled by how the International Community anticipates that the ongoing strife in the subcontinent will diminish when the IMF is effectively reimbursing Pakistan for the military resources it employs to wreak havoc in Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Tangdhar, and numerous other locations,” Omar stated on X.
In a recent incident of intense artillery shelling targeting civilian areas in Poonch, the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) was tragically killed.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has executed a large-scale missile or drone strike on the Srinagar airfield, leading to the downing of two Pakistani jets in a retaliatory action, according to official sources.
“Efforts are underway to locate the pilots of the downed Pakistani jets,” the sources mentioned, although formal confirmation is still pending.
Additionally, Pakistan has attacked the Rehari residential zone in Jammu city, damaging a home and several parked vehicles.
Heavy artillery bombardment persisted on Saturday morning along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri and Poonch districts. Indian forces are effectively countering Pakistan's shelling targeting civilian structures.
For the past three days, Pakistan has been conducting drone assaults in J&K, most of which were neutralized by the Air Defence System. Two loud explosions were reported in Srinagar on Saturday morning, alongside three significant blasts in the Akhnoor area of the Jammu division.
The Police Lines in Poonch came under direct fire; however, no casualties were reported on the Indian side in this specific incident. Civilian residences, schools, and religious sites—including a gurdwara, a mosque, and a Geeta Bhawan—have suffered extensive damage.
Within the last few days, at least 16 innocent lives have been claimed, including women and children, with 59 others injured across affected regions such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Mendhar.
The ongoing shelling has instilled widespread fear, prompting thousands of residents to flee to safer locations. Markets in Poonch are shuttered, and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch remain closed.
A complete blackout was enforced in Jammu on Friday evening. Authorities have shut down all schools, colleges, and universities in J&K, stating that the situation will be reassessed on May 12.
All civilian flights have been suspended from Srinagar airport after control was taken over by the Air Force. All Haj flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia have also been halted for the past three days.