Kashmir in Crisis: Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan After Operation Sindoor

 New Delhi/Islamabad – May 8, 2025:

The fragile peace along the Line of Control (LoC) has shattered as India and Pakistan spiral into renewed hostilities following Operation Sindoor, a calculated Indian military response to recent terror attacks emanating from across the border. With cross-border shelling intensifying and civilian casualties mounting, the specter of a broader regional conflict looms large over South Asia.

Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Back

The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were executed using precision-guided missiles fired from Rafale fighter jets, specifically focusing on areas like Bahawalpur and Muridke—long known to host militant outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the objective was “to dismantle the terror network at its roots” following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed several lives in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month. The Indian Air Force, with support from its newly deployed S-400 air defense system, reportedly neutralized multiple Pakistani positions without crossing the international border—a strategy aimed at avoiding unnecessary escalation while sending a clear message.

Pakistan’s Response: Shelling and Escalation

In response to the Indian offensive, Pakistan began heavy shelling across several LoC sectors, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor. Civilian settlements bore the brunt, with mortar rounds damaging homes, injuring dozens, and killing at least 15 civilians, including women and children. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India stated that over 59 civilians have been wounded and accused Pakistan of violating ceasefire protocols in an “inhuman and indiscriminate manner.”

Pakistan, for its part, claimed to have downed multiple Indian drones over its territory and accused India of aggression, while denying the presence of terror camps in the targeted regions. Despite the military rhetoric, Islamabad’s official channels have also shown signs of concern over public unrest and misinformation on social media.

Strategic and Political Repercussions

India’s response has received wide political backing at home. Opposition leaders, including Congress’ Ajay Rai, have expressed full support for the government’s actions, stating that “national security transcends politics.” Defence experts believe that this level of national unity provides India with a strong internal mandate to act decisively.

On the other hand, Pakistani civil society and opposition parties have begun to question their military’s narrative. Viral videos show locals in Lahore and Rawalpindi accusing the Pakistan Army of hiding the truth and downplaying the damage by attributing explosions to “lightning strikes.”

Global Response: Calls for De-escalation

The international community has reacted with concern. The United Nations Security Council convened a closed-door emergency session, emphasizing restraint from both nuclear-armed neighbors. Israel, citing heightened security risks, advised its nationals to leave Kashmir immediately.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on a pre-scheduled visit to New Delhi, discussed the situation with his Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar, highlighting the broader regional implications of unchecked escalation.

Humanitarian Impact: Civilians in Crossfire

Beyond the politics and military strategies, it is the civilians who are paying the heaviest price. Entire villages along the LoC are witnessing mass displacement as mortar shelling continues. Schools have been shut, hospitals are overwhelmed, and local economies have come to a standstill. Relief efforts are underway, but with no signs of a ceasefire, humanitarian agencies fear the worst.

Conclusion: A Volatile Path Ahead

The situation remains extremely volatile. While both India and Pakistan claim they do not seek war, actions on the ground suggest a dangerously thin line between retaliation and escalation. As strategic assets like air defense systems and advanced fighter jets come into play, the risk of miscalculation increases.

For now, the world watches Kashmir once again become the center of a conflict that demands urgent diplomacy, not more bloodshed.