India Strikes Pakistan in Retaliation for Kashmir Tourist Massacre

On May 7, 2025, India launched a series of precision airstrikes dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes were in response to the brutal April 22 Pahalgam attack, where militants killed 28 Hindu pilgrims in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility before retracting the statement.

Key Targets and Military Action

The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. The operation lasted 23 minutes and struck alleged terrorist hubs in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, Sialkot, and Kotli — targeting infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Pakistan's Reaction

Pakistan condemned the operation as an "act of war," reporting 26 civilian casualties and over 40 injuries. The Pakistani military claimed it downed five Indian jets, though India has not confirmed these losses. Three Indian jets reportedly crashed in Jammu and Kashmir due to operational issues, with pilots injured and hospitalized.

Civilian Impact and International Concern

Civilians on both sides have been affected. Eight Indian civilians were reported dead and over 40 injured due to Pakistani retaliatory shelling. Major airlines rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. Schools were shut down in Indian Kashmir, and a state of high alert was declared.

World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have urged both nations to de-escalate and pursue diplomacy.

Ongoing Conflict and Regional Stability

With continued shelling across the Line of Control and diplomatic tensions rising, the region faces a significant threat to stability. India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s retaliatory stance have further fueled the standoff.

The global community continues to watch the situation closely, calling for immediate restraint and peaceful dialogue between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

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