NEW DELHI — India initiated a wave of coordinated airstrikes early Wednesday under “Operation Sindoor,” hitting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian tourists. The strikes have intensified already high tensions in the region and prompted a vow of “corresponding retaliation” from Pakistan.
The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale fighter jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs in a 23-minute pre-dawn operation aimed at dismantling what the Indian government calls “terrorist infrastructure” operated by groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Indian officials claim the strikes were successful and minimized civilian casualties, though these assertions are under international scrutiny.
Pakistan’s response was swift and vehement. Officials in Islamabad described the strikes as “a blatant act of war” and claimed that 31 civilians were killed, including women and children.
According to The Guardian, Pakistan’s military has been authorized to initiate “proportionate retaliation.” Skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) intensified later in the day, with reports of artillery fire and civilian evacuations from border villages.
Air travel in both countries has also been affected. India and Pakistan closed parts of their airspace, leading to widespread flight cancellations and rerouting, according to Al Jazeera.
In response to the mounting risk of escalation, the Indian government conducted a nationwide civil defense drill across 244 districts on Wednesday to prepare for potential emergencies. Sirens, evacuation protocols, and first aid drills were carried out with public participation.
The global community is calling for restraint.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to “avoid further military confrontation” and “resolve their differences through peaceful means.” In a statement from Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said, “It’s a shame to see two great nations walking this path. We hope for peace and are talking to both sides.”
Meanwhile, India’s action is receiving mixed reactions at home. While some praise the strikes as a strong message against terrorism, critics warn that this cycle of violence could spiral out of control.
The April 22 attack that prompted the strikes was carried out in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian investigators have blamed Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based militant group, for orchestrating the bombing.
With both nations on high alert, the situation remains volatile. Analysts are closely watching how Islamabad will follow through on its threat of retaliation, and whether diplomacy can still pull the region back from the edge.
