In a significant escalation of tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors, India initiated “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, 2025, conducting air and missile strikes on nine locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including Indian and Nepali nationals. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militant groups, prompting a series of air and missile strikes under Operation Sindoor.
The Pahalgam Attack and India’s Response
On April 22, five militants attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district. The assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, specifically targeted Hindu tourists, separating them based on religious identity before executing them. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers demanded victims recite Islamic verses to determine their faith. The attack resulted in 26 deaths, including a Nepali tourist, and was captured on video by a tourist, leading to widespread outrage across India.
In retaliation, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, conducting coordinated air and missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The targets were identified as training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India described the strikes as precision operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and deterring future attacks.
Pakistan’s Reaction and Claims
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression, reporting civilian casualties, including women and children. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft and vowed retaliation.
International Calls for Restraint
The operation significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed its borders. Pakistan responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, restricting trade, and closing its airspace. Both nations reported skirmishes along the Line of Control.
International actors, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate the situation.
Potential for Further Escalation
Operation Sindoor marked one of the most significant military engagements between India and Pakistan in recent years. It highlighted India’s shift towards a more assertive stance in responding to cross-border terrorism. The operation also underscored the persistent volatility in the Kashmir region and the potential for rapid escalation between the two countries.
