• India accuses Pakistan of launching drone and missile attacks on military bases, which Pakistan denies.
• India claims to have destroyed a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore, while Pakistan denies any attacks on Indian military installations.
• International community, including the US and Gulf states, urges de-escalation amid concerns of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified following accusations of cross-border attacks and retaliatory measures. India alleges that Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military installations, while Pakistan denies these claims. India further asserts that it successfully intercepted these attacks and targeted Pakistani air defense systems, including one in Lahore. This escalation has led to increased anxiety in the region and calls for de-escalation from the international community, including the US, EU and Gulf States. The situation is further complicated by the history of conflict between the two nations and the ongoing insurgency in Kashmir.

• What: Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan involving accusations of drone and missile attacks, cross-border shelling, and air defense responses.
• Who: India, Pakistan, US, EU, Gulf states, International Monetary Fund, World Bank.
• When: Tensions escalated in the days leading up to May 9, 2025, following an attack on tourists in Pahalgam last month. The first wave of attacks began on May 7 night and continued into the early hours of May 8.
• Where: Jammu and Kashmir (Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered), Punjab, Rajasthan, Lahore, Line of Control (LoC).

The escalating tensions between India and Pakistan are a serious concern, with the potential for broader conflict. Discrepancies in the reported casualties and the sequence of events highlight the difficulty in verifying information from both sides. The international community's call for de-escalation underscores the need for dialogue and restraint. The involvement of nuclear-armed states further amplifies the risks. Claims from NDTV that India is in control of it's skies highlights the propaganda war both sides are engaged in, and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

"We deny it, we have not mounted anything so far. We will not strike and then deny."

"That's for you to ask Pakistan."

"There's no provision in the treaty that allows for suspension. It either needs to be gone, or replaced by another one."

The situation between India and Pakistan is dangerously volatile, escalating beyond previous confrontations due to recent military actions and a lack of trust. Conflicting narratives persist regarding the events following the terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, with India launching strikes against alleged terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan, while Pakistan claims these strikes resulted in civilian casualties. Both sides have made claims of downing each other's aircraft and inflicting damage, further fueling the antagonism. The international community, including the United Nations and the United States, is urging restraint and offering mediation, yet historical tensions and the Kashmir dispute continue to obstruct peaceful resolution. With the added complexity of nuclear capabilities and the potential for miscalculation, the need for de-escalation and a return to dialogue is critical to prevent further conflict. China, while supporting its "all-weather friend" Pakistan diplomatically, faces a difficult balancing act as it prefers de-escalation to an expanded conflict. The already strained relations are further exacerbated by India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan's retaliatory measures, including the closure of border crossings and airspace. A sustained effort towards normalization, addressing the root causes of the conflict, is essential to avert recurring crises in the region.