Tensions have dramatically escalated between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan after India launched a series of targeted airstrikes under “Operation Sindoor.” The strikes come just two weeks after a brutal attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir left 26 people dead.
What Triggered India’s Strikes on Pakistan’s Operation Sindoor?
On April 22, militants opened fire on Hindu tourists in the scenic town of Pahalgam in Kashmir, resulting in 25 Indian and one Nepali national being killed. India vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Though no group has officially claimed responsibility, Indian authorities have linked the attack to Pakistan-based militant networks — an accusation Pakistan denies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labelled the Pahalgam massacre as the worst civilian attack in two decades and pledged to punish those behind it “beyond imagination.”
Where Did India Strike Pakistan?
In the early hours of Wednesday, Indian forces launched strikes on nine different targets across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and mainland Pakistan. The Indian government described these as “terrorist infrastructure” sites, carefully avoiding military installations to keep the response “measured and non-escalatory.”
Key locations hit include:
- Muzaffarabad & Kotli (Pakistan-administered Kashmir): Allegedly housing terror camps; strikes destroyed two mosques.
- Bahawalpur, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Shakargarh, Muridke, and Sialkot (Punjab, Pakistan): A seminary linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba reportedly targeted; mosque damage and multiple civilian casualties reported.
Pakistan claims six areas were hit with 24 strikes in total, resulting in at least 26 deaths and 46 injuries, including civilians. Among the dead were children, according to Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan military.
Air Clashes and Downed Aircraft
Both countries reported incidents involving aircraft. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian warplanes, including advanced Rafale jets, though India has not confirmed these claims. Two aircraft reportedly crashed inside Indian territory, including in Uri and Wuyan (Kashmir), with images of wreckage analysed by defence experts.
Pakistan’s Response and Global Reactions
Pakistan denounced the Indian operation as an “unprovoked and blatant act of war,” vowing to respond at a time and place of its choosing. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned that India’s “heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished.”
In retaliation, Pakistan shelled areas in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least seven civilians and injuring several more.
World leaders have expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation:
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “maximum restraint.”
- US President Donald Trump described the conflict as “a shame” and urged a swift resolution.
- Global security analysts fear the conflict could spiral into a broader war, given both nations possess nuclear weapons.
Historical Context: Kashmir as a Flashpoint
Kashmir has remained a long-standing flashpoint between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India in 1947. Both countries claim the region in full but govern parts. Past major events include:
- Uri attacks (2016): India launched “surgical strikes.”
- Pulwama bombing (2019): Triggered Indian airstrikes in Balakot, followed by an aerial dogfight.
Operation Sindoor marks a new phase of conflict, as India crossed deeper into Pakistani territory than in past retaliations.
Conclusion:
With Operation Sindoor, India has once again drawn a red line. The world now watches anxiously as Pakistan prepares its next move. As both countries ramp up their military preparedness, the risk of full-scale war remains high unless immediate diplomatic efforts are made.