A deadly cross-border military operation has sparked a significant escalation in tensions between Pakistan and India, with Pakistan accusing India of killing civilians and vowing a forceful response. The incident follows a terrorist attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory last month, which left 26 civilians dead. India has blamed Islamabad for harboring an armed group linked to the attack and characterized its pre-dawn missile and drone strike on Wednesday as retaliation.
The Pakistani National Security Committee (NSC) has strongly condemned India’s actions, labeling them an “unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war.” In a statement, the NSC maintained that the targeted sites were civilian areas, not the “terrorist camps” described by India. Pakistan has reported at least 26 fatalities and 46 injuries, and claims that its forces downed five Indian aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, during the operation.
India, on the other hand, described its Operation Sindoor as “focused, measured and non-escalatory,” targeting locations associated with the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The April attack in Kashmir was claimed by a group called The Resistance Front, reportedly an offshoot of LeT, which India identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
The situation has drawn international attention, with Russia condemning the initial attack in Kashmir. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow “objects to any terrorist activities and emphasizes the need for the international community to unite to effectively fight against this evil.” Russia has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions to their differences.
Pakistan has made it clear that it will not back down, warning that it “reserves the right to respond, in self-defense, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing.” The country has called on the international community to hold India accountable for alleged violations of international law. As tensions between the two nations continue to rise, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation looming large.
