Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached their highest point in years after India launched major airstrikes-dubbed “Operation Sindoor”-against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early Wednesday, May 7. The strikes came in retaliation for a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. India blames Pakistan for harboring the militants, a charge Islamabad strongly denies
Indian officials say the operation targeted “terrorist infrastructure” at nine sites, claiming no civilian or military installations were hit. However, Pakistan reports at least eight civilian deaths and dozens wounded, and claims its forces shot down several Indian jets in response Islamabad has labeled the strikes an “act of war” and vowed swift retaliation, with both sides now exchanging fire along the border and suspending diplomatic and trade ties
This latest escalation follows decades of conflict over Kashmir, a disputed region at the heart of three previous wars between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The international community is urging restraint, but with both sides trading threats, fears are mounting that the crisis could spiral into a wider conflict
