– Advertisement –
Two weeks after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, India has carried out airstrikes on areas in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
India’s defence ministry said the mission—called “Operation Sindoor”—was to punish those behind the 22 April attack that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali.
Pakistan denies any part in the attack and says the Indian strikes were “unprovoked.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will not let this “heinous act of aggression” go unpunished.
Pakistan’s military claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft and a drone, though India has not confirmed this. Pakistan also said 26 people died and 46 were hurt. India said Pakistani shelling killed 15 civilians and injured 43.
India said it hit nine targets early Wednesday morning in both Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. These targets were said to be “terrorist infrastructure” used to plan attacks. India claimed it avoided military sites and that the strikes were “measured” and “not meant to escalate.”
Pakistan says strikes hit places in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur, and that civilians were harmed. Pakistan’s Defence Minister said India’s claims about targeting terrorists were false.
The strikes follow the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed. Survivors say militants targeted Hindu men. It was the worst civilian attack in the area in 20 years.
Tensions have grown since 2019, when India removed Article 370, ending Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status. Tourist numbers had risen since then, and militant activity had declined—until now.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to find and punish the attackers. Indian police said two attackers were Pakistani, and Delhi accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers. Pakistan strongly denies this.
In recent weeks, both sides expelled diplomats, stopped visas, and shut border crossings. Many people expected airstrikes—like those seen in 2019 after the Pulwama attack.
India and Pakistan both claim all of Kashmir, but each only controls part. They’ve fought two wars over it. Militants have also caused serious clashes.
In 2016, after militants killed 19 Indian soldiers, India launched cross-border strikes. In 2019, the Pulwama bombing led to Indian airstrikes deep into Pakistan, followed by dogfights between jets.
Though these fights didn’t turn into full wars, the world remains worried about what could happen. Global leaders have urged calm.
The UN, EU, and countries like Bangladesh have called for restraint. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants dialogue. US President Donald Trump said he hopes the fighting “ends very quickly,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he’s watching the situation closely.
Sources: BBC, CNN.
– Advertisement –