India strikes Pakistan in aftermath of Kashmir tourist killings

India strikes Pakistan in aftermath of Kashmir tourist killings

May 7, 2025

Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir. In a retaliatory move, India carried out targeted airstrikes across the border, claiming to have hit terrorist camps operating in Pakistan-administered territory.

Deadly Attack on Tourists in Kashmir

On April 22, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Baisaran, a scenic location near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack killed 26 people, most of them Hindu pilgrims visiting the region, and injured at least 17 others.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant group believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the killings. Indian authorities have since raised questions about the decision to open the area to tourists ahead of schedule and without sufficient security arrangements.

India's Military Response: Operation Sindoor

In response to the attack, the Indian military launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 6. The operation involved precision airstrikes on nine sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. According to Indian defense officials, these locations were being used by terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba to plan attacks on Indian soil.

India emphasized that the strikes were carefully targeted and did not aim to provoke a wider military conflict. Government officials described the operation as "measured" and stated that only terrorist infrastructure was hit, avoiding any Pakistani military positions.

Pakistan's Reaction and Rising Tensions

Pakistan condemned the strikes, calling them an "unprovoked act of aggression." Officials in Islamabad claimed that civilian areas, including religious sites, were among those hit. They reported at least eight civilian deaths and over 30 injuries.

Pakistan responded by scrambling fighter jets and claimed to have shot down multiple Indian aircraft, though India has not confirmed this. Artillery exchanges along the Line of Control have intensified, leading to additional casualties.

Diplomatic Fallout

The incident has caused a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries. India has suspended key agreements, including the Indus Waters Treaty, and imposed travel and visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals.

In turn, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights, halted all trade with India, and recalled its diplomatic mission. Both countries have expelled senior diplomats as tensions continue to rise.

International Reactions

The international community has expressed deep concern over the rapidly escalating situation. The United Nations and global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have called for restraint and urged both sides to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

Security analysts warn that the situation is extremely volatile, with the risk of broader conflict higher than in past standoffs due to the intensity of the attacks and the civilian toll.

Conclusion

With both nations locked in a dangerous cycle of retaliation, the situation remains highly unstable. Calls for peace are growing louder, but the road to de-escalation appears uncertain as diplomatic ties continue to unravel.