New Delhi (WE) — Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply this week following intense cross-border shelling and air strikes along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the disputed region of Kashmir. The violence, the most serious in recent years, has killed scores of civilians on both sides and triggered an outcry from the international community, urging restraint and a return to diplomacy.
Escalation Timeline and Civilian Casualties
On Wednesday, May 7, Pakistan’s military said Indian Air Force strikes killed at least 31 civilians and injured 46 others. The attacks reportedly targeted sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, where a missile strike destroyed a mosque-seminary building, leaving three people dead.
India responded by confirming that its military targeted nine sites allegedly linked to terrorist infrastructure, including camps operated by militant groups accused of orchestrating last month’s Kashmir tourist massacre. The attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir left 25 foreigners and one local dead, prompting outrage and an aggressive military response from New Delhi.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Indian forces executed the strikes with exact precision according to a well-planned strategy, and he emphasized that they did not affect any civilian population.
However, Pakistan’s government has strongly disputed this claim, accusing India of targeting non-military civilian structures, including religious institutions. Images from Muzaffarabad show the charred remains of the seminary, while locals recounted hearing “five missiles hit within 30 seconds.”
Retaliatory Posturing and Military Claims
Speaking in parliament, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the air strikes as an “act of war” and vowed that India would “pay the price.” Sharif also claimed that Pakistan’s Air Force had shot down five Indian fighter jets, a claim denied by Indian officials and dismissed by the Indian Embassy in Beijing as “disinformation.”
Sharif added:
“Perhaps they thought we would retreat, but they forgot that this is a nation of brave people. For the blatant mistake that India made, it will now have to pay the price.”
Pakistan’s National Security Committee issued a statement authorizing the military to retaliate “at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” reaffirming the country’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed this sentiment, saying:
“We are not looking for war. But if war is forced upon us, we will defend every inch of our soil.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has directly warned Pakistan, stating that “we will launch a calibrated but overwhelming response to any retaliatory attack.”
International Reactions: Urgent Calls for De-escalation
The escalating hostilities have prompted urgent calls for restraint from major global powers. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Iran, Turkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have all issued statements urging both nations to exercise caution and avoid further escalation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke directly with PM Sharif, praising Pakistan’s “calm and restrained policies.” In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said:
“I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there. We want to see them work it out.”
Despite these appeals, signs of immediate de-escalation remain slim, with both sides intensifying their rhetoric and fortifying border positions.
On the Ground: Destruction and Human Toll
The damage caused by the air strikes has left civilians reeling. In Muridke, located about 30 kilometers from Lahore, an Indian missile strike damaged the Government Health and Educational Complex. A paramilitary officer stationed outside described the scene as “catastrophic.”
Government officials in India said shelling and sniper fire killed 13 civilians and one soldier on their side of the LoC. A spokesperson from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs added that the attacks wounded 43 more civilians and destroyed several homes in villages near Baramulla and Pulwama.
In Wuyan, Pulwama district, a fighter jet crash site drew crowds of security personnel and villagers, many of whom expressed fear that a full-scale war may erupt.
Diplomatic Communications and Intelligence Exchange
In an interview with TRT World, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar confirmed that backchannel communications have taken place between national security advisers from both countries.
“We are exploring options diplomatically,” he said. “But our military is on full alert.”
Sources in New Delhi revealed that Indian officials held briefings with over a dozen foreign diplomats to present satellite images and intelligence reports allegedly linking the targeted sites to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a UN-designated terrorist group believed to operate from within Pakistan’s borders.
Islamabad has denied that the bombed locations had any militant links, calling the allegations “fabricated and politically motivated.”
Airspace Incidents and Aviation Safety
A particularly alarming revelation from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority noted that 57 international flights were passing through its airspace during India’s air raid. Aircraft from Saudi Arabia, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways, Korean Air, and Air China were all potentially at risk.
As a precaution, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered the closure of at least 21 civilian airports in northern and western India until May 10. Major terminals in Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Pathankot remain shut.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Military Strategy
Indian media has reported that the current offensive has been named Operation Sindoor, targeting what it claims are “launch pads and command centers of cross-border terrorism.” An Indian military official, speaking to The Hindu, noted that satellite reconnaissance and drone surveillance played a key role in identifying targets.
Pakistan insists that the named locations were civilian in nature, including religious schools, health complexes, and residential buildings.
Domestic Political Ramifications
Analysts believe that both governments are engaged in nationalist posturing aimed at consolidating political capital at home. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made a public statement yet but is expected to address parliament by the end of the week. His government has been under pressure to demonstrate a tough stance on terrorism following the Kashmir massacre.
In Pakistan, PM Sharif’s speech to parliament was met with thunderous applause. He received backing from opposition leaders who typically criticize the government on defense matters, indicating a rare moment of national unity.
Global Perspectives and Risk of Wider Conflict
Experts warn that this clash—between two nuclear-armed states—could spiral into a larger regional or global crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire and offered to mediate.
“The use of force in such a sensitive area endangers not just South Asia but the entire world,” said Michael Kugelman, director at the Wilson Center.
Retaliation from Pakistan was broadly anticipated. “A response is likely within the next 24 to 48 hours,” officials noted, adding, “This sentiment has been echoed by political leaders across the spectrum.”
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