India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate After Strikes And Jet Downings In Kashmir Crisis

 

India launched a series of military strikes on Pakistan early Wednesday, prompting retaliatory claims from Islamabad that five Indian jets and a drone had been shot down. The situation has pushed the long-time rivals to the edge of a broader conflict, with global powers urging restraint.

The strikes came in response to a deadly attack in April, in which gunmen killed 26 people—mostly Indian tourists—at a scenic location in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blames Pakistan for the massacre, a charge Islamabad denies.

India’s “Operation Sindoor”

India carried out what it called “Operation Sindoor” in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. According to Indian officials, the operation lasted 25 minutes and focused on infrastructure linked to militant groups Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. They emphasized that no Pakistani civilian, economic, or military targets were hit.

The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” references the traditional red powder worn by married Hindu women—symbolic, officials suggested, of the widows left behind by the April attack that primarily targeted men.

Pakistan, however, described a far different outcome. Officials in Islamabad claimed 24 airstrikes hit six locations, including civilian areas in Punjab province. They described the strikes as the deepest penetration by Indian forces into Pakistan since the 1971 war.

Pakistan’s Response

In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian Air Force jets—including three Rafale fighters—and one drone. These claims remain unconfirmed by India.

Eyewitnesses in Indian-administered Kashmir reported the crash of an unidentified aircraft in the village of Wuyan. Images showed debris next to a residential building, though the origin of the wreckage has not been verified.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Indian operation as an “act of war,” and called on the military to avenge the “loss of innocent Pakistani lives” after convening an emergency National Security Committee meeting.

Civilian Toll

Pakistani military sources reported that the Indian strikes killed at least 26 civilians, including teenagers and a three-year-old child, and injured 46 others. Meanwhile, Indian sources said eight civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed by Pakistani shelling across the border.

On the Ground

Cross-border shelling and gunfire continued throughout Wednesday along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in the disputed region of Kashmir. Authorities in Indian-controlled areas ordered evacuations from high-risk zones, offering food, shelter, and medical support.

Flight operations were also disrupted, with Pakistan closing segments of its airspace and several international airlines rerouting to avoid the region. Indian airports in the north have also reported delays and closures.

The Kashmir Conflict: A Flashpoint Reignited

The Muslim-majority Kashmir region has been a persistent source of friction between India and Pakistan since both gained independence from British rule in 1947. The two countries have fought three wars over Kashmir, and the territory remains heavily militarized.

The April attack in Pahalgam reignited tensions, sparking domestic outrage in India and leading to a hardline response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Diplomatic relations quickly deteriorated—visa agreements were canceled, ambassadors were recalled, and India withdrew from a major water-sharing accord with Pakistan.

Global Reaction

The escalation has drawn international concern. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world "cannot afford a military confrontation" between two nuclear-armed states. The United States echoed that concern, saying it was “closely monitoring developments” while withholding immediate assessment.

Other nations—including China, Japan, the UAE, and the UK—have urged both sides to de-escalate and resume dialogue. Indian officials said they had briefed several international partners on the steps taken, including the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE.

What Comes Next?

Although recent history shows both countries have pulled back from the brink before—as in the 2019 airstrike crisis—each escalation adds new volatility to an already dangerous conflict. With Kashmir once again at the center of the storm, the risk of a broader war looms, especially as both sides have modernized their armed forces and maintain nuclear arsenals.

While the international community continues to press for calm, tensions remain high, and the path forward is uncertain.