India carried out missile strikes early Wednesday across the Line of Control (LoC), hitting areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The military operation, named “Sindoor,” targeted nine sites said to be used by militants. Indian officials claim the strikes were in response to a deadly attack that killed 26 tourists last month. They blamed the group Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, which is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The strikes killed at least 31 people, including a child, and left 38 others hurt, according to Pakistan’s military. In response, Pakistan summoned India’s chargé d’affaires and held an emergency meeting of its National Security Committee. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes and said Pakistan had “every right” to strike back.
“We have started to respond and will not hold back,” Sharif said in a televised statement. He called India’s actions a threat to peace and warned of a strong answer.
Retaliation Hits Civilians on Both Sides
Soon after India’s operation, Pakistani forces fired shells into India-controlled Kashmir. Indian police said seven civilians were killed and 30 more were injured. Homes were damaged, and people rushed to find shelter as artillery fire echoed across the region.
Indian officials accused Pakistan of using heavy weapons and targeting civilian areas. “This is not just a response — it’s an attack on innocent people,” said a local officer near Poonch district.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military claimed it shot down five Indian jets. Indian officials have not confirmed this but did report three crashes involving Indian aircraft in different parts of the country.
One crash happened near Bhardha Kalan, a village close to the LoC. Villagers found two injured pilots and handed them to Indian troops. Another crash took place in Punjab state. Debris was scattered across fields, schools, and mosques. Fires burned for hours as locals watched in shock.
“I saw flames in the sky and heard loud blasts. It felt like war had arrived at our doorstep,” said Rajveer Singh, a resident of the area.
Airstrikes Target Religious and Militant Sites
India said its missiles targeted buildings used by militant groups. One strike hit the Subhan Mosque in Bahawalpur, killing 13 people. The mosque is near a seminary once linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group banned by Pakistan. Another strike damaged a mosque in Muridke, a town near Lahore that once housed Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters.
Pakistan accused India of attacking religious sites and killing civilians. “These are war crimes,” said a Pakistani military spokesman. “India is trying to provoke a full-scale conflict.”
India denied those claims and said it avoided hitting Pakistan’s military bases. The Defence Ministry stated the operation focused on “infrastructure used to plan attacks on Indian soil.”
Rising Tensions Between Nuclear Neighbors
The back-and-forth attacks have raised global alarm. Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers, and any escalation between them risks wider conflict.
The United Nations called for restraint. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the world “cannot afford another war between two nuclear-armed countries.”
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security met in New Delhi to review the situation. The Home Ministry launched emergency drills in key cities to prepare for possible future strikes.
Eyewitnesses in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, described a night of fear and panic. “Explosions shook our homes. We grabbed our children and ran,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a resident. “We feared the next missile would be ours.”
Political Leaders Show Support for Military
Indian political leaders from all parties backed the military’s actions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted “Victory to Mother India” on social media. The opposition Congress party also praised the armed forces and called for national unity.
The operation “Sindoor” was named in memory of women widowed by past violence in Kashmir. A senior military official said the goal was to send a strong message to those behind attacks on civilians.
Still, the loss of lives on both sides has sparked questions. “We support our troops, but we need to avoid another war,” said former Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao. “Dialogue is hard, but war is worse.”
The Path Forward: Diplomacy or Danger?
As the world watches closely, pressure is building on both governments to step back. But the situation remains tense, with more strikes and shelling possible.
The U.S., European Union, and Gulf countries have urged calm. China called for direct talks between the two nations.
For now, people living near the LoC are the ones most at risk. Thousands have fled their homes. Schools are shut, and hospitals are on high alert. The region is bracing for what may come next.
Both sides have a history of flare-ups, but this round of attacks has been the most serious in years. With high emotions and national pride on the line, finding peace may not be easy.