Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, with Indian sources pointing the finger at Pakistan-backed groups. The April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination, resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen. The Resistance Front, believed to be a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Indian government has reacted strongly, launching "Operation Sindoor" in response. On May 6 and May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK), targeting terrorist infrastructure. According to Indian officials, the strikes were "focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature," aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and preventing further attacks. The targeted locations included training centers and base camps of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), including strongholds in Muridke and Bahawalpur.
The Indian action has been described as a response to Pakistan's links to cross-border terrorism, particularly the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the strikes targeted areas "from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed". Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized India's right to act against terror, stating that the actions were proportionate and responsible.
Pakistan has condemned the Indian strikes, claiming that they violated Pakistani airspace and resulted in civilian casualties. Pakistan's military spokesperson confirmed that Indian missiles hit several locations, including areas near a mosque in Muzaffarabad. Pakistan has also asserted its right to respond to the Indian action at a time and place of its choosing. In the wake of the strikes, Pakistan has reportedly placed its air force on high alert and suspended commercial flights in northern parts of the country.
The international community is closely watching the situation, with some countries calling for de-escalation and restraint. The United States has expressed its support for India's "right to defend itself" against terrorism. Tensions remain high, and the potential for further escalation is a significant concern. The recent events have further strained the already complex and hostile relationship between India and Pakistan, which has been fraught with conflict and disputes since the partition of British India in 1947. The Kashmir conflict remains a central point of contention, serving as a catalyst for numerous wars and armed skirmishes between the two countries.
The Indian government has briefed several countries, including China, on the situation and its actions. India has also emphasized that its strikes were targeted and did not target any Pakistani military facilities, aiming to limit the scope of escalation. However, Pakistan's military has vowed to respond, raising concerns about further military action.
In India, security measures have been heightened, with mock drills conducted across several districts to prepare for potential hostile attacks. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack.
