India-Pakistan Conflict Escalates After Kashmir Attack: What We Know So Far

The latest surge in hostility began in April 2025, after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. The assault killed 26 civilians, including Hindu tourists, marking the worst civilian violence in the region in two decades.

India blamed Pakistan-based militant groups, particularly Lashkar-e-Taiba, for orchestrating the attack. In response, the Indian military launched “Operation Sindoor”, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which India said were terrorist infrastructure hubs.

What Was India’s Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor, named after a sacred red powder symbolizing marital commitment in Hindu culture, aimed to deliver a “measured yet firm response” to terrorism originating across the border. India emphasized it did not target Pakistani military assets and described the mission as “focused and non-escalatory.”

However, Pakistani officials rejected this claim, saying the strikes hit civilian areas, particularly in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur, leaving at least 31 people dead and 57 injured.

How Did Pakistan Respond?

Pakistan’s government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the Indian airstrikes as “unprovoked aggression”. The Pakistani military claimed to have:

• Shot down five Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales

• Conducted retaliatory drone strikes

• Inflicted damage on Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC)

While India denied losing any aircraft, local sources and international media, including Reuters, reported three Indian jets crashed, with pilot hospitalizations confirmed.

What Sparked the Outrage in India?

The April 22 attack struck a painful nerve in India, not only because of the lives lost but due to its symbolic connection to Kashmir’s contentious history. It was the first major civilian attack since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed severe retribution, stating the perpetrators would be “punished beyond their imagination.” The Indian government claimed intelligence linked the attackers to Pakistan-based militants, an allegation Islamabad firmly denies.

Pakistan Launches “Operation Bunyan Marsoos”

“Operation Bunyan Marsoos” is a large-scale military campaign launched by Pakistan following a dramatic escalation of hostilities with India. The name, derived from the Quran, refers to a “solid cemented structure,” symbolizing unity and resilience in warfare. It reflects Pakistan’s stance of a fortified and coordinated response under fire.

The operation was initiated in retaliation for what Pakistan describes as India’s fourth consecutive night of cross-border aggression. According to Pakistani officials, Indian forces launched a combination of drone incursions and ballistic missile attacks on multiple Pakistani air bases in the early hours of May 10, 2025.

🛡️ Which Pakistani Airbases Were Targeted by India?

Pakistan reported missile strikes on the following strategic locations:

• Nur Khan Airbase (Chaklala, Rawalpindi)
  A major hub for logistics, VIP flights, and Air Force operations.

• Murid Airbase (Chakwal, Punjab)
  A forward-operating base crucial to air defense and operational readiness.

• Rafiqui Airbase (Shorkot, Punjab)
  Known for hosting fighter squadrons and supporting rapid response deployments.

🚀 How Did Pakistan Respond?

In a forceful counterattack, Pakistan launched aerial strikes on key Indian military installations. These include airbases, missile sites, and artillery depots well beyond the traditional line of conflict in Kashmir — signaling a significant widening of the theater of war.

🎯 Indian Military Bases Reportedly Targeted by Pakistan:

• Udhampur Airbase (Indian-administered Kashmir)
  Headquarters of the Indian Army’s Northern Command.

• Pathankot Airbase (Punjab)
  A strategic frontline base previously targeted in 2016 by suspected Pakistan-based militants.

• Drangyari Artillery Position (Jammu and Kashmir)
  A crucial support point for Indian ground forces.

• Uri Field Support Depot (Jammu and Kashmir)
  Notable for the deadly 2016 attack that prompted India’s “surgical strikes.”

• Nagrota Military Site (Kashmir)
  Known for housing BrahMos missiles co-developed by India and Russia.

• Beas Storage Facility (Punjab)
  A vital missile storage location linked to India’s BrahMos program.

• Adampur Air Base (Punjab)
  Hosts India’s Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

• Bhuj Air Base (Gujarat)
  Located in Prime Minister Modi’s home state, this base is of political and strategic importance.

🌍 Why This Escalation Matters

Unlike previous skirmishes largely centered around Kashmir, this latest confrontation involves direct missile and drone strikes deep within each country’s sovereign territory. Such unprecedented escalation signals a dramatic shift in engagement rules and raises alarms globally about a potential full-scale war between two nuclear-armed nations.

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How Did the Ceasefire Come Into Effect?

After days of deadly exchanges, global powers grew increasingly alarmed at the potential for nuclear escalation. In a surprise move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire via Truth Social, claiming the U.S. had mediated the talks.

According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, negotiations involved direct communication with top Indian and Pakistani leaders. Both countries reportedly agreed to not only halt hostilities but also initiate broader diplomatic talks at a neutral location.

However, Indian officials downplayed the U.S. role, citing national sovereignty and reiterating that Kashmir is a bilateral issue.

Who Claims Victory?

Both sides declared themselves victorious in the aftermath:

• India’s media splashed headlines like “Pakistan Surrenders”, showcasing satellite images of damage to Pakistani infrastructure.

• Pakistan’s government celebrated alleged air force victories, with Sharif calling it a “historic response” and claiming to have silenced India’s assault “in a way history will not forget.”

Yet, beneath the political chest-thumping, both sides endured significant losses, and the region remains deeply unstable.

What’s Next for Kashmir and Regional Stability?

While the ceasefire is currently holding, it’s widely seen as a temporary fix, not a long-term resolution. The root of the crisis—the disputed status of Kashmir—remains unresolved.

Trump has offered to mediate a lasting peace “even if it takes a thousand years,” a suggestion embraced by Pakistan but rejected by India. New Delhi maintains that any negotiation regarding Kashmir is strictly an internal matter.

Despite the apparent calm, experts warn the situation is fragile. If historical patterns are any indicator, the Kashmir dispute will likely erupt again, unless deeper political solutions are found.

Final Thoughts

The latest flare-up between India and Pakistan underscores the volatile nature of their relationship, especially with Kashmir at the center. Although diplomacy has paused open conflict for now, mutual distrust, political posturing, and unaddressed grievances make it clear—this is far from over.

FAQs

Q1. Why did India launch Operation Sindoor?
To retaliate against a terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-backed militants.

Q2. Did the US broker the ceasefire?
Yes, according to former President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio, though India denies direct foreign mediation.

Q3. What is the root cause of India-Pakistan tensions?
The decades-old dispute over Kashmir, which both nations claim in full, continues to be the primary source of conflict.

Q4. Is the ceasefire still holding?
As of May 7, reports indicate the ceasefire is holding, but both sides remain on high alert.

Q5. Is there a clear winner in this conflict?
No. Both India and Pakistan suffered losses and claimed victories, but no side emerged with a decisive advantage.