India and Pakistan are on the verge of a larger conflict
On May 7, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This move was in response to an April attack in which 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, were killed by gunmen in the Kashmir region, a territory disputed by both nations. India blamed Pakistan for the massacre, which Pakistan denied.
India’s strikes aimed at militant groups Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed but also caused significant damage in densely populated areas, including strikes on the Punjab province, marking the deepest attack inside Pakistan since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Pakistani forces responded by claiming to shoot down five Indian jets, including three Rafale fighter jets, which are advanced military assets acquired by India from France. Pakistan also reported casualties, including civilians, while India confirmed casualties in its territory as well.
Both nations have been exchanging gunfire and shelling across the de facto border, the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir. Civilians have been affected, with evacuations ordered in Indian-administered Kashmir. The violence has led to the closure of airspaces and disruptions to international flights.
The conflict is rooted in the long-standing dispute over Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region claimed by both countries since their independence in 1947. The two countries have fought multiple wars over the region, and both possess nuclear weapons, making the situation particularly dangerous.
The global community is concerned about the potential for a full-scale war. The United Nations, the United States, China, and other nations have urged both sides to de-escalate tensions. Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has also called for an end to the violence, emphasizing the need for peace and protection of civilians, especially children.
The world is closely watching the situation as both India and Pakistan stand at the brink of a wider conflict.
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