India Launches Air Strikes on Pakistan After Deadly Attack
Two weeks after a tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region, India carried out air strikes on targets in Pakistan early Wednesday morning. This move has heightened tensions between the two countries, both of which possess nuclear capabilities.
Why Did India Launch the Attack?
India stated that the air strikes were part of “Operation Sindoor,” dedicated to the women whose spouses were victims of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. While no group has been officially named as responsible for the attack, India alleges that militants based in Pakistan were behind it. Pakistan has denied any involvement.
The Indian government reported targeting nine locations they identified as “terrorist infrastructure.” They emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were hit, describing their actions as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.”
Pakistan’s Response
According to a spokesperson from Pakistan’s military, the Indian air strikes resulted in the deaths of at least eight civilians, including a child, and injured 35 others, with two people reported missing.
Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari condemned the strikes, labeling them as aggression targeting civilian populations. He vowed a strong response. Later, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced that Pakistan had shot down five Indian fighter jets in retaliation.
International Reactions
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both nations to exercise restraint. “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” his spokesperson stated.
China called for calm, with a foreign ministry spokesperson expressing concern over the situation and encouraging both sides to avoid actions that could escalate tensions further.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the rising tensions, stating, “It’s a shame, we’ve just heard about it. They’ve been fighting for a long time.” He expressed hope that the situation would deescalate quickly.
What Happens Next?
Sourabh Gupta, an Asia-Pacific international relations policy specialist, warned that the situation is dangerous given the nuclear capabilities of both countries. He expressed concern over potential escalation reminiscent of the 2019 Pulwama attacks.
Victor Gao, a chair professor at Soochow University, emphasized the global importance of peace between India and Pakistan. “The timing cannot be worse,” he cautioned, advocating for diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.
“We need to care about peace and security in the Indian subcontinent as a whole and in the world,” Gao stated, highlighting the need for international involvement to calm the situation.
