• India launched missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir under 'Operation Sindoor' in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, claiming to target terrorist infrastructure.
• Pakistan condemned the strikes as an act of war, reporting civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including mosques and residential complexes.
• International reactions were mixed, with some countries urging restraint and de-escalation, while others expressed support for India's right to self-defense against terrorism.

On May 7, 2025, India launched missile strikes into Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, codenamed 'Operation Sindoor,' targeting what it claimed were nine terrorist infrastructure sites. The strikes were a response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pakistan condemned the strikes as an unprovoked act of war and reported civilian casualties. The operation has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, drawing international concern and calls for de-escalation.

• What: India launched missile strikes, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor', targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
• Who: India, Pakistan, civilians in affected areas, international leaders (Trump, Rubio), China, Israel, UN Secretary-General Guterres, terror groups LeT and JeM.
• When: The strikes occurred on May 7, 2025, between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM. The Pahalgam attack occurred on April 22.
• Where: Strikes targeted locations in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. Pahalgam is in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The strikes represent a significant escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, with potentially far-reaching consequences. India claims the operation was a pre-emptive measure to prevent further terrorist attacks, while Pakistan condemns it as an act of aggression and a violation of its sovereignty. Discrepancies exist in casualty reports, with India focusing on terrorist casualties and Pakistan emphasizing civilian deaths. International reactions reflect a mix of concern and support, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region. The long-term impact will depend on whether both sides can de-escalate and engage in dialogue to address the underlying issues.

exercised its right to respond and pre-empt as well as deter such more cross-border attacks.

Israel supports India’s right for self defense. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.

We're terrified, and we don't know what to do. People are fleeing their homes and the sense of uncertainty is overwhelming.

"Operation Sindoor" has precipitated a dangerous escalation in the already fraught relationship between India and Pakistan, pushing the two nuclear-armed states closer to a potentially devastating conflict. While India asserts the strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure in response to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan vehemently condemns the operation as an act of war, citing civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including mosques. The international community, including the US, China, and the UN, has expressed deep concern and urged both nations to exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions through dialogue. However, the absence of robust bilateral crisis communication mechanisms and a history of mistrust exacerbate the risk of miscalculation and further escalation. With domestic political pressures and conflicting narratives of victory at play in both countries, the path to de-escalation remains uncertain, demanding a concerted diplomatic effort, possibly involving third-party mediation, to prevent a wider and potentially catastrophic conflict in the region.