Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following India’s missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April.
The Indian government confirmed that nine terror camps were targeted and successfully destroyed under Operation Sindoor, a military response aimed at dismantling militant networks. The strikes have drawn international attention, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and China issuing travel advisories for the region.
Pakistan has condemned the strikes as an “act of war”, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing a “befitting reply”. The Pakistani military claimed that three locations were hit - Bahawalpur in Punjab Province, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - and has warned that it will respond at a time and place of its choosing. Islamabad has also accused India of killing civilians, contradicting New Delhi’s assertion that the strikes exclusively targeted terrorist camps.
The situation has further deteriorated with reports that Pakistan has test-fired the Abdali missile, with a 450-kilometre range, in what analysts describe as a provocative move.
Meanwhile, India has banned all imports from Pakistan, halted postal services, and blocked Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports, signaling a broader economic and diplomatic freeze. The Indian military remains on high alert, monitoring potential ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.
As of 1pm (AEST) Thursday, the crisis continues to unfold, with Pakistan reportedly shooting down five Indian jets in retaliation.
The Indian government has called for an all-party meeting to discuss next steps, while Jaish-e-Mohammad leader Masood Azhar confirmed that 10 members of his family were killed in India’s missile strikes.
With both sides refusing to back down, the risk of further escalation remains high, keeping global investors and diplomatic circles on edge.
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