Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following a series of events that began with a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The situation has rapidly evolved into a dangerous military exchange, raising concerns of a full-blown war between the two nuclear-armed nations.
The crisis was triggered by an attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, where militants killed 28 civilians, mostly tourists. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, alleging that the perpetrators belonged to The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based militant organization. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for a neutral investigation.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched a series of missile strikes into Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7, 2025, in an operation codenamed "Operation Sindoor". Indian forces reportedly launched 14 attacks, targeting nine locations in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and Pakistan's Punjab province. The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out the strikes using Rafale aircraft, SCALP missiles, and AASM Hammer glide bombs. BrahMos cruise missiles and Indo-Israeli SkyStriker loitering munitions were also reportedly used.
India claimed that the strikes targeted militant groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba, and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. However, Pakistan asserted that the Indian strikes hit civilian areas, including mosques, resulting in the deaths of 31 Pakistani civilians.
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation, codenamed "Operation Bunyan al-Marsus," on May 10, striking a number of cities throughout India. Pakistan also claimed to have shot down several Indian jets and damaged Indian infrastructure. India, in turn, claimed to have neutralized Pakistani air defense systems in Lahore.
The conflict has also seen the use of drones by both sides, marking the first drone war between two nuclear-armed nations. India has accused Pakistan of launching drone and missile strikes across several Indian cities, including Amritsar, but claimed to have negated these strikes using its S-400 missile system. India also claimed to have carried out Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD)/DEAD operations.
Both countries have traded accusations of targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. Pakistan has accused India of attacking Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, a claim denied by Indian authorities. India, on the other hand, has accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation and falsely claiming that Indian airbases and critical infrastructure have been destroyed.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions and has called for restraint and dialogue between the two countries. However, with both sides твердо отстаивая свою позицию и продолжая военные действия, перспективы деэскалации остаются неясными. The conflict has the potential to escalate into a full-scale war with devastating consequences for the region and the world.
