ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, May 7 – Tensions between South Asia’s nuclear-armed neighbors surged dangerously on Wednesday as India launched military strikes deep into Pakistani territory, retaliating against what New Delhi calls the deadliest terrorist assault in Indian-administered Kashmir in over a decade. The action has prompted fears of full-scale war in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
According to Indian military officials, the strike was in response to the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where militants killed 26 civilians in a popular tourist area. India accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting the perpetrators—a charge Islamabad has firmly denied.
The Indian military said it had conducted “precision strikes” on what it called terrorist camps across six locations, including within Pakistan’s heartland: Ahmedpur East, Muridke, and Sialkot, as well as Kotli, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ this mission stands as India’s most aggressive military offensive against Pakistan since the conflict of 1971.
Pakistan swiftly condemned the strikes, claiming that 26 civilians had been killed, including children and teenagers, and 46 others wounded. “India has shamelessly attacked civilian populations,” said Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif in a televised address, warning, “a befitting reply is being given.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced similar concerns, describing the attack as a declaration of war and affirming Pakistan’s right to safeguard its territorial integrity. Within hours, Pakistani military officials claimed they had shot down five Indian aircraft, including advanced French-made Rafale fighter jets—a claim not independently verified. Officials in India have not issued any statement addressing the accusations so far.
Residents in cities like Bahawalpur described a night of terror. “I heard four loud explosions,” said Faryal Waheed, 45, who lives near one of the strike sites. Her husband, a general surgeon, was called in for emergency duty. “The whole hospital staff has been mobilized,” she added. Another resident, Atif Saeed, 58, said police and soldiers quickly took control of the streets, urging civilians to stay indoors.
An Escalation Beyond Kashmir
Security analysts warn that the significance of India’s strike extends far beyond previous conflicts centered on Kashmir. “This time, India has struck deep into mainland Pakistan,” said Sushant Singh, a Yale University lecturer and former Indian Army officer. “This represents a significant shift—it’s no longer limited to disputed territory.”
Singh noted that India insists its operation targeted only militant camps and avoided military or civilian infrastructure, calling the move “non-escalatory.” But Pakistan views it differently, especially given that the strikes reached populous regions never previously targeted in modern history.
“If Pakistan responds by striking inside Indian Punjab or Rajasthan, then we are entering uncharted, and very dangerous, territory,” Singh warned.
Indeed, soon after the strikes, Pakistan fired artillery shells across the Line of Control (LoC), prompting an “appropriate calibrated response” by Indian forces, according to Indian military reports.
Global Concerns Mount
The international community responded with alarm. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged “maximum military restraint,” with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stating, “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Wilson Center, emphasized the unique danger of the moment. “Both countries possess nuclear weapons. Even a small miscalculation could lead to a catastrophic outcome,” he said. “We’ve had a strike and a counterstrike—the next move will reveal whether this is a temporary flare-up or the beginning of a deeper crisis.”
China, a close ally of Pakistan, reiterated its support for Islamabad. On Monday, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, met with President Asif Ali Zardari, calling the bilateral relationship “ironclad.” Russia also called for restraint from both sides.
Diplomatic Channels Working Overtime
In Washington, the Indian Embassy stated that Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had briefed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assuring him that “no Pakistani civilian, economic, or military targets were hit.” India claims only “verified terror camps” were targeted.
Rubio spoke with counterparts from both countries, urging dialogue to prevent further escalation. “We encourage both sides to maintain open lines of communication,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the situation, calling it deeply regrettable, and expressed a desire for a swift resolution. Despite diplomatic efforts, India’s stance remained firm, with officials signaling that retaliation was imminent. On the 30th of April, Senator Rubio was informed by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar that consequences would follow Pakistan’s conduct.
Pakistan has since called for an international investigation into the Kashmir attack, though analysts believe such a probe is unlikely, especially following India’s strike.
Civilian, Economic, and Aviation Impacts
Aside from the human toll, the conflict rattled regional financial markets. India’s stock indices dropped at the open but rebounded slightly, while the Indian rupee fell against the U.S. dollar. Pakistan’s main stock market index dropped sharply by almost 6% at the start of trading, though it later recovered part of the decline.
Airspace closures led to the cancellation of several international flights, including those by IndiGo, Air India, and Qatar Airways. Border communities remain tense, with emergency protocols activated and hospitals on high alert.
Historic Rivalry, Fragile Peace
This week’s escalation is the most severe since the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot incident, which also saw cross-border strikes and air battles. The 2021 ceasefire agreement, brokered after years of tension, had held until now.
India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars since their bloody partition in 1947, with Kashmir at the center of their disputes. The region remains heavily militarized, divided by the LoC, and vulnerable to flare-ups from even localized violence.
As morning breaks over a tense subcontinent, civilians on both sides fear that what began as a retaliatory airstrike could spiral into a larger war—one that neither side, nor the world, can afford.
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