Tensions between India and Pakistan reached a dangerous new level early Wednesday as India launched missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory, killing at least 26 people, including a child.
The Indian defence ministry said the strikes – named “Operation Sindoor” – were part of a “commitment” to hold “accountable” those responsible for the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 25 Indians and one Nepali national dead, according to the BBC.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack as an “act of war,” raising fears of a full-scale military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The strikes targeted multiple locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, causing significant infrastructure damage and civilian casualties.
The long-running dispute over Kashmir, along with accusations of cross-border terrorism, has been the primary source of conflict between India and Pakistan for decades.
The only exception was the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which was triggered by the Bangladesh Liberation War rather than Kashmir-related tensions.
In response to the latest strikes, Pakistan’s military has reportedly taken retaliatory action, though details remain unclear. The situation remains volatile, with both nations on high alert and the risk of further escalation looming large.
Global powers have swiftly called for restraint, warning of catastrophic consequences if the conflict spirals out of control.
The United States urged “immediate de-escalation and dialogue,” while China, a key ally of Pakistan, stressed that “both sides must exercise maximum restraint.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised the need for a ceasefire to prevent a humanitarian disaster. Analysts warn that any further military engagement could have devastating consequences, particularly given both countries’ nuclear capabilities.
As the crisis unfolds, the international community watches with growing concern. Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a wider war, but with emotions running high and military forces mobilised, the path to de-escalation remains uncertain. The world waits anxiously for developments in what could become one of the most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints in recent history.
(Sources: Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, BBC)
