In a dramatic escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, China has expressed deep concern over India's recent airstrikes targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes, conducted under "Operation Sindoor" in the early hours of May 7, 2025, were a direct response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, primarily tourists, on April 22.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the airstrikes as "regrettable" and urged both nations to exercise restraint. "We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbours. They are also China's neighbours," the spokesperson said. "China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation," they added.
India's military operation targeted nine sites believed to house terrorist infrastructure, with four located in Pakistan and five in PoK. These actions were taken after intelligence reports indicated that these locations were being used as operational bases for groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, which have been linked to numerous attacks against India.
Among the targeted sites were training camps associated with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including the Muridke headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, where infamous terrorist Ajmal Kasab had received training. This facility had historical significance as Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had previously donated funds for its development.
In retaliation, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the missile strikes as an "act of war" and asserted that Pakistan has every right to respond appropriately. He stated, "Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given.”
According to reports from the Pakistan Army, at least eight people were killed and 35 others injured due to the Indian missile attacks. Army spokesman Lt. Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry detailed that a total of 24 missile impacts were reported across six localities. In the Ahmedpur East area of Bahawalpur, the Subhan mosque was struck, resulting in five fatalities, including a three-year-old girl, and injuring 31 civilians. Other locations, such as Muzaffarabad and Kotli, also reported casualties and damage to religious sites.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the need for a decisive response, stating, "We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives." He convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss further actions, while Pakistan's airspace was closed for 48 hours as a precautionary measure.
In the aftermath of the strikes, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar labeled the attacks a "flagrant violation" of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international law, warning that it jeopardized regional peace. The Foreign Office condemned the strikes as an "unprovoked and blatant act of war," asserting that Pakistan would respond with full force.
Meanwhile, the Indian military has placed all air defense units on high alert along the border with Pakistan. Following the strikes, India reached out to several countries, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, to inform them of the military operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously granted the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to determine the timing and targets of India's response to the Pahalgam attack, which has led to a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries.
The situation remains tense, with both sides preparing for potential further escalations. As China calls for calm, the international community watches closely, aware that any misstep could lead to a broader conflict in an already volatile region.
