The conflict between India and Pakistan saw a dangerous escalation following a terror attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. The incident, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, became the catalyst for a series of retaliatory actions that brought the two nations to the brink of war.
The Pahalgam Attack: On April 22, 2025, gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 people and injuring 17 others. The attack, one of the deadliest against Indian civilians in decades, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), although the group later denied responsibility. Indian officials hinted at Pakistani involvement, a charge that Islamabad swiftly denied, offering to cooperate with any international investigation.
India's Retaliation: Operation Sindoor: In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, a series of coordinated strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, executed by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, aimed at terrorist camps and infrastructure. India stated the strikes were a direct response to the Pahalgam attack and accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism. Pakistan, however, claimed that the Indian strikes targeted civilian areas, resulting in the deaths of 31 civilians.
Pakistan's Retaliation and Escalation: Pakistan responded to India's strikes with its own military actions, including drone and missile strikes across several Indian cities. India claimed to have countered these strikes using its S-400 missile system. Both sides accused each other of targeting civilian populations and infrastructure. The conflict escalated with reports of cross-border firing, artillery exchanges, and even attempts to target air bases. India also suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a water-sharing agreement, while Pakistan threatened to walk away from the Simla Agreement.
Ceasefire and De-escalation: As the conflict intensified, international concern grew over the potential for a full-blown war between the two nuclear-armed nations. After nearly 100 hours of hostilities, the United States, under President Donald Trump, brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, effective from 5 pm on May 10. The ceasefire agreement included a condition that India would not reactivate the Indus Waters Treaty. Following the ceasefire announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the situation.
The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military actions highlight the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, rooted in the decades-old Kashmir conflict. While the ceasefire brought a temporary halt to the escalation, the underlying issues remain unresolved, and the potential for future conflict persists.
