India and Pakistan are experiencing a significant escalation in military tensions following a series of targeted Indian strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was launched in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed at least 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, on April 22, 2025.

Details of Operation Sindoor

• Nature of Strikes: India targeted nine sites identified as terror camps and launchpads, including locations in Muridke, Kotli, Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur.
• Execution: The Indian military emphasized that the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” claiming no Pakistani military installations were targeted and that the strikes were conducted using standoff weapons, reportedly without breaching Pakistani airspace.
• Objective: The stated goal was to dismantle infrastructure used by groups planning and launching cross-border terror attacks against India.

Immediate Reactions

India:

• Indian officials, like Home Minister Amit Shah, praised the military for its “targeted and precise” reaction. They saw the operation as necessary revenge and proof of India’s determination to fight terrorism.
• Security has been heightened across sensitive states like Uttar Pradesh, with red alerts and increased coordination between police and defense establishments.

Pakistan:

• The Pakistani government condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter” and international law, accusing India of targeting civilian areas and threatening regional stability.
• Pakistan vowed to respond “at a time and place of its choosing,” raising concerns about possible further escalation.

International Response:

• China expressed regret over India’s actions and called for restraint from both sides to prevent further escalation.
• Airspaces around Lahore and other regions were closed and there is heightened military activity in the Kashmir Valley, especially near Srinagar.

Context: History of India-Pakistan Wars

This latest escalation follows a long history of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors:

Current Situation and Risks

• The situation remains volatile, with both sides on high alert and Pakistan threatening retaliation.
• The strikes mark the deepest Indian military incursion into Pakistani territory in over 50 years.
• There are casualties reported on both sides, including civilians in Pakistan-administered areas.
• The risk of further escalation between two nuclear-armed states has prompted international concern and calls for restraint.

Summary

Operation Sindoor represents a significant escalation in India-Pakistan hostilities, with India launching precision strikes against targets in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for a major terror attack in Kashmir. Both nations have exchanged strong statements and the situation remains tense with the potential for further escalation.