On May 7, 2025, the fragile peace between India and Pakistan was shattered as India launched a series of missile strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting what it identified as militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This military action was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers, leading to a rapid escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Background: The Pahalgam Attack and Rising Tensions

The Pahalgam attack marked one of the deadliest assaults on Indian civilians in recent years. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants specifically targeted non-Muslims, raising communal tensions and prompting widespread outrage across India. In the aftermath, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, suspended visas for Pakistani nationals, and withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty—a significant bilateral agreement governing water sharing between the two countries.

Pakistan, denying any involvement in the attack, responded by suspending the Shimla Agreement, closing border crossings, and instituting trade restrictions. The situation further deteriorated with reports of cross-border firing and ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), leading to civilian casualties on both sides.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Military Response

In the early hours of May 7, India initiated Operation Sindoor, launching missile strikes on nine locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian government stated that the operation targeted terrorist camps linked to the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing that the strikes were precise and aimed solely at militant infrastructure.

However, Pakistani authorities reported that the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, including women and children, and injured 38 others. Among the affected sites were mosques and residential areas in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. Pakistan condemned the attacks as an unprovoked act of aggression and vowed to retaliate.

Pakistan’s Retaliation and Escalation

In response to Operation Sindoor, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and a drone. Additionally, Pakistani forces reportedly launched counter-strikes, including the destruction of an Indian brigade headquarters. The Pakistani government declared a state of emergency in Punjab province and closed its airspace for 48 hours, leading to widespread flight cancellations and disruptions.

The situation along the LoC intensified, with reports of heavy artillery exchanges resulting in further civilian casualties. Both nations engaged in retaliatory economic and diplomatic measures, including the expulsion of diplomats and the suspension of trade agreements.

International Reactions and Calls for Restraint

The international community expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint, emphasizing that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan. U.S. President Donald Trump labeled the strikes as “a shame” and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the crisis.

Despite these calls for de-escalation, both India and Pakistan remained steadfast in their positions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Operation Sindoor as a necessary response to terrorism, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as a cowardly attack on civilians.

Civil Defense Measures and Public Preparedness

Amid the escalating tensions, India conducted a nationwide emergency preparedness exercise, codenamed Operation Abhyaas, on May 7. The drill involved activities such as air-raid siren tests, blackout simulations, and evacuation drills across 244 districts. The exercise aimed to bolster civilian readiness against potential hostile threats, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Conclusion

The events of May 7, 2025, marked a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan. Operation Sindoor and the subsequent retaliatory actions by Pakistan have heightened fears of a broader military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations. The international community continues to call for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation and to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

References

• India Launches Military Strikes Against Pakistan
• Kashmir crisis live: India missile attack kills eight; Pakistan official says two Indian fighter jets shot down
• India-Pakistan airstrikes: Islamabad retaliates after Operation Sindoor – as it happened
• The Latest: India fires missiles across the border with Pakistan
• 2025 India–Pakistan strikes
• 2025 India–Pakistan standoff
• Indus Waters Treaty

Note: This article is based on information available as of May 7, 2025, and may be subject to change as the situation develops.