In a dramatic escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian military launched missile strikes early Wednesday, May 7, 2025, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The strikes, which reportedly killed at least eight individuals, including a child, and injured more than 35 others, come in the wake of a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir last month that claimed 26 lives, predominantly those of Indian Hindus.
According to Pakistani military officials, the Indian strikes hit multiple locations, including a mosque in Bahawalpur, Punjab, where a child was killed and two others injured. The strikes were said to have occurred around 1 a.m. local time, leading to widespread panic and power outages in the region, particularly in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, confirmed that the missiles struck at least six locations across the border, resulting in significant civilian casualties. He stated, “At least two Indian air force jets had been shot down,” although this claim could not be independently verified. The Indian government, on the other hand, asserted that its military operations were focused, measured, and designed to avoid civilian targets, emphasizing that no military facilities had been hit.
The missile strikes were labeled by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as an “act of war,” asserting that “Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given.” He further noted that the Pakistani nation and armed forces are prepared to confront any threats posed by India.
This latest confrontation marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which have a long history of conflict over the Kashmir region. Following the April 22 attack on tourists in Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militants, both countries expelled diplomats, closed their borders, and suspended air traffic.
In response to the strikes, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif condemned India’s actions as a “shameless attack on the civilian population,” asserting that such provocations would be met with appropriate retaliation. He indicated that Pakistan was already in the process of responding to the missile strikes, stating, “You will see Pakistan’s response before the morning.”
As tensions mounted, air travel was severely affected, with SpiceJet announcing the cancellation of flights to Srinagar and other cities in northern India, following the closure of airports in the wake of escalating hostilities. Indian airlines also suspended flights, citing safety concerns.
In a statement from the Indian Defense Ministry, officials claimed that the strikes targeted nine sites where terrorist activities against India had been planned. They characterized the operation, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” as necessary to safeguard national security. The ministry stated, “Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.”
Meanwhile, international reactions to the conflict have been swift. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope that the violence would end quickly, calling the situation “a shame.” He noted, “I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time.”
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also called for restraint from both nations, warning that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan. A UN spokesperson stated, “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries.”
As the situation continues to unfold, both nations are bracing for possible further military engagements. Residents in the Kupwara district of Indian-administered Kashmir reported exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the heavily militarized Line of Control, raising fears of a broader conflict.
In Pakistan, an emergency was declared in hospitals to prepare for the influx of casualties from the missile strikes. Local resident Abdul Sammad reported hearing explosions and witnessing panic in the streets as authorities scrambled to respond to the crisis.
The missile attacks and subsequent military responses have reignited fears of a larger conflict between India and Pakistan, both of which possess nuclear weapons. Analysts caution that any miscalculation could lead to catastrophic consequences, given the volatile history and ongoing tensions between the two nations.
As both governments prepare for potential retaliation, the international community remains on high alert, urging diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation. The situation is fluid, and developments are expected to unfold rapidly in the coming days.
