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| Courtesy singapore times CNA |
On May 6, 2025, India launched a series of missile strikes under "Operation Sindoor," targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian government stated these were precision attacks on terrorist infrastructure linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists .
The strikes reportedly hit areas including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur, resulting in at least eight civilian deaths, including a child, and injuring over 30 others . India emphasized that military facilities were not targeted, aiming to avoid escalation .
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed a strong military response, with Pakistan claiming to have shot down multiple Indian jets and destroyed an Indian brigade headquarters . Pakistan also declared a state of emergency in Punjab province and suspended diplomatic ties with India .
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint, while U.S. President Donald Trump described the situation as "a shame" and urged for a peaceful resolution .
This incident marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict over Kashmir, with both nations engaging in military and diplomatic actions that have heightened regional instability.
