Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes, which come in response to the Apr
What Is Operation Sindoor?
India said its Operation Sindoor struck nine Pakistani sites on Wednesday that provided “terrorist infrastructure” and from which attacks against it were orchestrated. Its military spokesperson said the sites were completely destroyed.
The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here.
I want to see them stop, and hopefully they can stop now. Sindoor, which refers to the red vermilion powder worn by married Hindu women, is an apparent reference to the widows left by the April 22 attack that killed 26 men, most of them Hindu.
Deadly Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack
On May 7, India conducted precision strikes on nine locations it said were affiliated with militant groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM). The operation was named Sindoor—a symbolic reference to Hindu widows whose husbands were among the victims of the April attack. According to Indian military officials, five targets were located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and four in Pakistan’s Punjab province, including cities like Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Shakar Garh.
Impact and Civilian Casualties
Pakistani officials have condemned the strikes as an “unprovoked act of war,” reporting at least 31 civilian deaths, including women and children, and over 50 injuries. In Muridke, a mosque—Masjid Ummul Qura—was hit, damaging residential areas and leaving two people missing. Bahawalpur saw the destruction of Masjid Subhan, with fatalities including a three-year-old girl. India, meanwhile, reported the loss of three aircraft and confirmed seven civilian deaths from retaliatory shelling by Pakistani forces.
Airspace Lockdown and Emergency Declarations
Following the strikes, India shut down several airports, and airlines including Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet suspended flights. Pakistan International Airlines redirected airborne flights to Karachi, and Punjab province declared a state of emergency, mobilizing hospitals and emergency services.
Strategic Targets and Significance
India claims to have struck:
Markaz Taiba in Muridke — believed to be the LeT headquarters.
Markaz Subhanallah near Bahawalpur — associated with JeM activities.
Terrorist camps in Muzaffarabad — the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.Pakistani officials deny the existence of terrorist infrastructure at the targeted sites and allege that civilian areas were deliberately attacked.
Pakistan’s Reaction
Pakistan condemned the strikes as acts of war, reporting civilian casualties, including children, and damage to mosques and educational facilities. In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have downed several Indian aircraft and engaged in artillery exchanges along the Line of Control, resulting in additional casualties on both sides. say in good headline.
International Concerns
Global leaders have expressed alarm at the escalation, urging both sides to exercise restraint. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack and the recent strikes.
Conclusion:
As the crisis intensifies, the risk of further military confrontation looms. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic channels can defuse one of the most serious flare-ups in the region since the 2019 Pulwama-balakot conflict
