In the early hours of May 7, 2025, Indian Armed Forces initiated ‘Operation Sindoor’, launching missile strikes on alleged terrorist targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Punjab province. The operation was a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists. India asserts that the strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure; however, Pakistan contends that civilian areas, including the Subhanullah mosque in Bahawalpur, were hit, resulting in three deaths and 12 injuries.(The Siasat Daily, The Siasat Daily, Wikipedia)
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war”, affirming Pakistan’s right to a “befitting reply”. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized a response with “full force”, both kinetically and diplomatically. Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reported that the attacks targeted Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK and Bahawalpur in Punjab, asserting that Indian aircraft did not breach Pakistani airspace.(Wikipedia, The Siasat Daily)
In retaliation, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft and launched artillery strikes along the Line of Control, resulting in civilian casualties on both sides. The situation has escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, prompting international calls for restraint.(The Sun, Financial Times)
The Pahalgam attack has led India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, close the Attari border crossing, and downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to respond to the attack.(Wikipedia)
Credit: The Siasat Daily
