In retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India initiated āOperation Sindoorā on May 6. This operation targeted nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur. India asserts that these strikes aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructures linked to groups like The Resistance Front and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Notably, India emphasized that no Pakistani military sites were targeted .
āļø Pakistanās Retaliation and Civilian Impact
Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked āact of war,ā reporting at least three civilian deaths, including a child, and over a dozen injuries . In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian jets and a drone. The Pakistani military also reported launching counter-strikes in areas such as Bhawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad . A state of emergency was declared in Punjab, and commercial flights were suspended.
š Escalating Border Skirmishes
Since April 24, both nations have engaged in continuous exchanges of fire across the Line of Control (LoC), with reports of small arms and artillery fire in multiple sectors . These skirmishes have intensified following the missile strikes, raising concerns of a broader military confrontation.
š Water Wars: Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
In a significant move, India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, accelerating the construction of four hydropower projects in KashmirāPakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Ratleāwith a combined capacity of 3,014 MW . Pakistan, which relies heavily on the Indus system for agriculture and hydropower, views this as a strategic threat, further straining bilateral relations.
š International Reactions and Nuclear Concerns
The United Nations Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict, urging both nations to exercise maximum restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Indiaās strikes as āa shameā and called for a swift resolution to the conflict . Analysts warn that the current trajectory could lead to a catastrophic military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors .
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