India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate Following Kashmir Terror Attack and Missile Exchanges
India and Pakistan's military tension has reached its peak as both countries exchanged missile strikes in the aftermath of a gun terror incident in Kashmir.
According to reports from AP and Reuters on the 7th, the Indian government announced in a statement that its military had launched 'Operation Sindhur' at dawn that day, targeting nine locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
India emphasized that Pakistani military facilities were not included in the attack targets.
In contrast, Pakistani authorities reported that India had launched missiles at five locations, including Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, in the early hours, resulting in the deaths of three civilians, including children, and injuring 14 others.
The Pakistani government immediately stated its intention to "retaliate against India at a time and place of our choosing."
Pakistani news outlet Sama TV, citing sources, reported that the Pakistani military had already conducted retaliatory missile strikes on targets within India and claimed that the Pakistani Air Force shot down two Indian fighter jets.
International Concerns Grow Over Potential Conflict Between Nuclear Powers
In response to the clash, Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace for 48 hours and suspended all domestic and international flight operations.
As a result, Islamabad International Airport halted all flight operations, while inbound and outbound flights were redirected to Karachi Airport in southern Pakistan.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the potential escalation between the two countries, which are essentially nuclear-armed states.
Tensions between the two nations were sparked by a shooting attack that occurred on the 22nd of last month near the resort area of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including tourists, and injured 17 others. India blamed Pakistan for the terrorist act and imposed strong sanctions, which included the cancellation of visas for Pakistanis, a ban on the import of goods from Pakistan, halting vessel entries, and suspension of postal exchanges.
In response, Pakistan denied any connections and countered with measures including a ban on Indian aircraft entering its airspace, trade suspension, and cancellation of visas for Indians.
For ten consecutive days leading up to the day before this report, small-scale skirmishes occurred along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries.
In particular, tensions escalated further when India blocked the flow of tributaries of the Indus River into Pakistan, which Pakistan labeled as an act of war, even mentioning the possibility of a nuclear strike.
Mention of nuclear strike possibility
Image Source: Reference images for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, Indian military personnel on guard following the gun attack near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir (April 26, 2024) / gettyimageskorea
