India Claims Two of Its Soldiers Killed by Pakistani Troops in Kashmir

India claims that regular Pakistani troops killed two Indian soldiers in a cross-border attack on Tuesday.  Indian officials further claim that the Pakistani troops beheaded one of the soldiers and mutilated both bodies.  Pakistan has officially denied that the incident occurred.  One Indian official described this incident as the most serious infiltration since the 2003 cease-fire.

Indian officials are objecting to the alleged killings and what they describe as the inhumane treatment of the soldiers.  Pakistan, in addition to denying the incident even occurred, has said it would not oppose a UN investigation into the matter.  While both sides are denouncing each other, they have also attempted to ensure that the incident does not escalate into broader hostilities.  India has summoned a high-ranking Pakistani official stationed in Delhi to meet with its foreign minister, to which Pakistan has not objected.  Furthermore, the Indian foreign minister noted: "We cannot and must not allow the escalation of any unwholesome event like this."  On the other hand, the minister promised a "proportionate" response to the attack.  Presumably, parties on both sides are attempting to placate upset citizens at home while presenting a rational and even-handed front abroad.  In the age of globalization, however, governments walk a fine line in trying to present one view at home and another abroad.  Pakistan in particular has had this problem in recent years, with its officials often making anti-American statements at home while pushing for military and other aid from the United States and cooperating with the U.S. on a variety of counter-terrorism initiatives (the one that comes to mind is Pakistani officials decrying U.S. incursions into its airspace for drone strikes while simultaneously providing bases and intel for those same strikes).  As far as what comes of the Kashmir flare-up, we'll just have to wait and see.