In a recent Indian airstrike that killed at least 31 civilians, Pakistan has vowed a strong retaliation against its neighbor. India cited self defense, claiming to have destroyed terrorist camps which Pakistan has denied involvement.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have significantly intensified following Indian air strikes on areas administered by Pakistan. New Delhi asserts these strikes targeted terrorist camps. In contrast, Pakistan has strongly condemned the attacks, vowing retaliation for the reported deaths of 31 civilians.
In a late-night address on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared the government would “avenge each drop of the blood of these martyrs.” This statement came after several days of heightened friction between the two nations, triggered by a recent attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Military Actions and Conflicting Reports
India reported that its air force struck nine “terrorist camps” in Pakistan during the early hours of Wednesday. These strikes were presented as a response to the April 22nd attack in the disputed Kashmir region, which resulted in 26 tourist fatalities. India attributes this assault to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, an accusation Pakistan denies.
Accounts of the military engagement differ. According to a senior Indian security official, three Indian fighter jets crashed on Indian territory. However, Pakistan’s military spokesman, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, claimed five Indian jets were shot down across the border.
Both sides are currently engaged in heavy artillery exchanges along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border that divides the contested Kashmir region.
Casualties and Damage
Since the escalation began, at least 43 deaths have been confirmed. Government sources from both nations report 31 civilian fatalities on the Pakistani side and 12 deaths in Indian-administered territory.
Major Indian targets included an Islamic seminary near Bahawalpur, where 13 people were killed. Strikes also hit a health and education complex in Muridke and a mosque in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, resulting in the death of the mosque’s caretaker. The Pakistani military confirmed that four children were among those killed in Wednesday’s strikes. Additionally, a hydropower plant in Kashmir sustained damage, following India’s earlier warning about potentially restricting water flow to Pakistan.
Human Impact and Displacement
Residents in the affected areas have described the terror and displacement caused by the military actions. Muhammad Salman, a resident of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, recounted the fear, stating, “There were terrible sounds during the night, there was panic among everyone.” Another resident, Tariq Mir, who was injured, expressed uncertainty about finding safety.
Civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir have also been forced to flee areas subjected to Pakistani shelling. Wasim Ahmed from Salamabad village described damaged houses and injured residents.
International Reaction and Diplomatic Efforts
The international community has voiced increasing concern over the conflict. The United Nations, through a spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warned that “the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for de-escalation and offered to mediate if necessary. Iran has also become involved diplomatically, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visiting both Islamabad and New Delhi in an attempt to ease tensions.
Historical Roots of the Conflict
The latest violence is deeply rooted in the long-standing dispute over Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim the region in its entirety but administer separate parts of it since their independence from British rule in 1947. The two nations have fought two wars over the territory. Since 1989, armed insurgencies, which India frequently blames on Pakistan-based militant groups, have persisted in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan consistently denies these allegations.
Political Stance and Future Outlook
India frames its recent actions as defensive and non-escalatory, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserting New Delhi’s right to respond to attacks on its citizens. Conversely, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using military action for domestic political gain.
Pakistani military spokesman Chaudhry warned that Pakistan retains the right to retaliate “at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” stating that the armed forces have been given full government authority to respond.
With continuous artillery fire reported along the LoC, the situation remains highly volatile. The prospect of further escalation looms as both nations maintain firm positions.
