In the wake of India's "Operation Sindoor," which targeted terror infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reacted strongly, vowing retaliation for what he termed an "unprovoked" and "cowardly act".

Operation Sindoor: India's Response

"Operation Sindoor" was launched by the Indian armed forces in the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian civilians and one Nepali citizen. India Today TV reported that the operation was India's largest cross-border strike since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The Indian military conducted 24 precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK, targeting strongholds of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. Indian sources claimed that more than 70 terrorists were killed and over 60 wounded, significantly degrading the operational capabilities of these outfits. JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar allegedly claimed that 10 members of his family and four of his aides were among those killed in the strikes. The Ministry of Defence in India confirmed that the strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure from where attacks against India had been planned and directed.

Pakistan's Reaction and Sharif's Response

Pakistan has vehemently condemned the Indian operation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a televised address, accused India of launching a direct assault on Pakistan's sovereignty and declared that a response was inevitable. Al Jazeera quoted Sharif as saying, "We resolve that we will avenge the blood of our innocent martyrs". Sharif also chaired a National Security Committee meeting where officials condemned India's actions as "illegal acts" and "blatant violations of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity". A committee statement described the targeting of civilians as a "heinous and shameful crime".

Adding to the rhetoric, Sharif claimed that Pakistani forces shot down five Indian fighter jets during "Operation Sindoor," a claim that India has denied. He described the exchange at the Line of Control (LoC) as a "dogfight" and asserted that "Pakistan prevailed" in the conventional military exchange.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that Islamabad "won't take long to settle the score" and that military operations were already underway. Pakistan also issued a statement saying that it reserves the right to respond in self-defense.

Allegations and Counter-Allegations

Pakistan has accused India of committing an "act of war" and claimed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of 26 people and injuries to 46 others. Conversely, India has stated that its actions were focused, measured, and non-escalatory, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted. India has accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and carrying out artillery shelling on army posts and civilian infrastructure.

International Response and Concerns

The escalating tensions have drawn international attention, with China calling on both India and Pakistan to prioritize peace and stability. The UK has also weighed in, stating that no one wins if India-Pakistan tensions escalate further. The US Secretary of State said that they are closely monitoring the India-Pakistan situation and hope this ends quickly.

Current Situation

Following India's strikes, Pakistan has reportedly resorted to cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. India has asserted that it is well prepared to retaliate if Pakistan escalates the situation. Amidst the heightened tensions, several airports in India were shut for commercial operations, and security drills were carried out across the country. Rajasthan has sealed its border with Pakistan, and Punjab Police have cancelled the leaves of its officers.