New Delhi, India / Islamabad, Pakistan (WNEWS BREAKING) – Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor” late Tuesday. The operation involved a series of missile strikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes were a retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Targeted Responses
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the strikes aimed at “terrorist infrastructure” linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which India accuses of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack. The targeted locations included Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province . India emphasized that the operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” asserting that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.
Pakistan’s Retaliation and Civilian Casualties
In response, Pakistan condemned the strikes as a “cowardly attack” on civilians. The Pakistani military reported that at least three civilians, including a child, were killed, and 12 others injured. A mosque in Bahawalpur was among the structures hit . Pakistan also claimed to have shot down two Indian jets, a claim not confirmed by India. The Pakistani government has vowed to respond at a time and place of its choosing.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says “Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given.”
Diplomatic Fallout and International Reactions
The escalation has led to significant diplomatic repercussions. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing agreement, and has accelerated hydropower projects in Kashmir, actions Pakistan views as acts of aggression . Both nations have expelled each other’s diplomats and closed airspace to each other’s airlines.
Internationally, there is growing concern over the potential for further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations has called for maximum restraint, while countries like the United States and China have urged both sides to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue.
US President Trump made comments late Tuesday afternoon from the White House on India-Pakistan conflict: “It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the oval. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time. They’ve been fighting for many, many decades. And centuries, actually, if you think about it. I hope it ends very quickly”
The Road Ahead: A Fragile Peace
As both nations stand on the brink of a broader conflict, the international community watches with apprehension. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further military engagements. The need for diplomatic intervention and conflict resolution has never been more urgent.
This is a breaking news story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Tune in to WNews for the latest on this story.
