India conducted a series of strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, which left 25 Indians and one Nepali national dead. The operation, named Operation Sindoor, was part of India’s commitment to hold those responsible for the attack accountable, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence.
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Pakistani Response
Pakistan, however, denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labelling the strikes as “unprovoked” and a “heinous act of aggression”. He vowed retaliation, insisting the attack was “not related” to Pakistan and that his country was “wrongly accused”.
Impact of the Strikes (as of 8 May 2025)
| Side | Casualties (Killed) | Injured |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 31 | 57 |
| India | 15 | 43 |
Pakistan’s military also claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft and one drone, though India has not confirmed these claims.
Locations Targeted
India confirmed targeting nine different locations in both Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan, describing them as “terrorist infrastructure” used to plan and direct attacks. The Indian military emphasised that its actions were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” and did not target Pakistani military installations.
Pakistan, however, initially reported that the strikes hit the following areas:
| Location | Region |
| Muzaffarabad | Pakistan-administered Kashmir |
| Kotli | Pakistan-administered Kashmir |
| Bahawalpur | Punjab, Pakistan |
Later, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif of the Pakistani military claimed that six locations had been struck.
Why India Launched the Attack
The strikes come amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, following the 22 April Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed, including tourists. Survivors reported that militants were specifically targeting Hindu men, making it the worst attack on civilians in the region in two decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the attackers “till the ends of the Earth” and warned that those responsible “will be punished beyond their imagination”. On 7 May 2025, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri alleged that the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, based in Pakistan, was behind the attack, a claim that Pakistan has strongly denied.
Kashmir – A Perpetual Flashpoint
Kashmir remains a deeply contested region, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but administered only in part by each. The two nations have fought two full-scale wars over the territory since their partition in 1947.
Major Incidents of Escalation
| Year | Incident | Indian Response |
| 2016 | Uri attack (19 Indian soldiers killed) | Surgical strikes across the LoC |
| 2019 | Pulwama bombing (40 Indian soldiers killed) | Airstrikes in Balakot, Pakistan |
International Reactions
Global leaders have called for restraint to prevent further escalation:
| Country/Organisation | Response |
| United Nations | Called for “maximum restraint” |
| European Union | Urged for peace and dialogue |
| United Kingdom (PM Keir Starmer) | Called for “dialogue” and “de-escalation” |
| United States (President Donald Trump) | Expressed hope for a quick resolution |
| Bangladesh | Supported UN’s call for restraint |
The situation remains tense, with both sides poised for further escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.