Early on May 7, 2025, India launched a series of missile strikes against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in an operation codenamed Operation Sindoor. This marked the most significant direct military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since 2019, and the first major Indian strike inside Pakistan since the 1971 war79.
Nature and Targets of the Strikes
Indian Statement: India stated that the strikes were aimed exclusively at “terrorist infrastructure” believed to be responsible for orchestrating attacks against India, specifically referencing the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed at least 26 civilians4589.
Target Locations: Indian officials reported targeting nine sites, including locations in Pakistan’s Punjab province (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Ahmadpur East) and Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Kotli, Bagh, Muzaffarabad)56789.
Method: The strikes were described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” with Indian authorities emphasizing that no Pakistani military installations were targeted and that significant restraint was exercised in both target selection and execution45789.
Pakistani Response and Claims
Civilian Casualties: Pakistani officials reported that five sites were struck, including mosques, resulting in at least nine civilian deaths (including children) and dozens injured. One of the mosques hit was in Bahawalpur, Punjab6789.
Military Response: Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed a forceful response, which reportedly included retaliatory missile and artillery strikes into Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistani authorities also claimed to have shot down up to five Indian aircraft (including Rafale, MiG-29, SU-30, and a drone), though these claims have not been independently verified679.
Government Statements: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan had the right to respond and that a “befitting response” was underway56789.
Indian Casualty and Military Claims
Indian Civilian Losses: India reported that Pakistani artillery fire killed three civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir following the Indian strikes49.
Aircraft Losses: India acknowledged the loss of one aircraft and claimed to have shot down a Pakistani fighter jet, though details remain disputed and unverified9.
Broader Context and Escalation
The Indian strikes were a direct response to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, which India blames on Pakistan-based militant groups. Pakistan denies any involvement589.
The strikes led to heightened military activity, including cross-border artillery exchanges and airspace closures. Civilian air traffic was suspended in the region, and both nations placed their militaries on high alert79.
The United States and other international actors called for restraint and closely monitored the situation due to the risk of further escalation between two nuclear-armed states7.
Key Points of Dispute
| Issue | Indian Position | Pakistani Position |
|---|---|---|
| Target of Strikes | Only terrorist infrastructure, no military/civilian | Civilian areas and mosques were struck |
| Civilian Casualties | 3 Indian civilians killed by Pakistani shelling | At least 9 Pakistani civilians killed by Indian strikes |
| Aircraft Losses | One Indian aircraft lost, one Pakistani jet downed | Five Indian jets and a drone shot down |
| Justification | Retaliation for Pahalgam attack | Act of aggression, denies involvement in attack |
Conclusion
India’s Operation Sindoor represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict over Kashmir, with both sides trading accusations and military blows. While India insists its strikes were precise and aimed solely at militant infrastructure, Pakistan reports substantial civilian casualties and has responded with its own military actions. The situation remains highly volatile, with both countries’ airspaces affected and the risk of further escalation looming
