India-Pakistan: Nuclear powers clash

The conflict between the nuclear powers is escalating. On May 7, the nuclear-armed Indian military attacked nine targets in neighboring Pakistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on tourists in the town of Pahalgam in April. The Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, aimed at targeting "terrorist" infrastructure in Pakistan, and conducted missile strikes around the city of Muzaffarabad after midnight.

The Indian Ministry of Defense confirmed that a total of nine missiles were fired at nine targets in Pakistan. New Delhi emphasized that the targets were not Pakistani military facilities.

"No military facilities of Pakistan were attacked. India showed great restraint in choosing targets and methods," the Indian Ministry of Defense stated.

Pakistan's Ministry of Defense confirmed that India launched missile strikes on its territory, stressing that it would take retaliatory measures.

According to ANI, all the strikes were carried out from Indian territory using high-precision weapons. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the strikes were launched from Indian territory and accused New Delhi of violating Pakistani sovereignty.

Reports indicate that two civilians were killed in the Pakistani city of Kotli as a result of the Indian missile strikes. At least 12 people were injured in the eastern city of Ahmedpur. India also targeted two mosques. Later, the Pakistani Ministry of Defense reported that eight civilians were killed. A short time later, Indian police reported that 10 people had been killed and 48 injured in Pakistani strikes in Kashmir. Pakistan, in turn, reported that 26 people were killed and 46 injured as a result of India's actions.

Pakistani officials stated that the country’s military shot down five Indian fighter jets, including two Rafale jets.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called the Indian attack an "act of war."

"Pakistan has already given a befitting and decisive response to this act of war launched by India," he said on his X-page.

Pakistan also closed its airspace for 48 hours and retaliated against Indian border areas in Kashmir. The country’s armed forces stated they had struck an Indian army brigade headquarters.

Sharif convened a meeting of the National Security Committee, with another meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 8, according to the country’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated that India’s "reckless" actions had brought the nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict. A state of emergency was declared in Punjab province.

US President Donald Trump called the escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan "disgraceful" and expressed hope for a speedy resolution.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said Guterres was "deeply concerned" by India's military action and called on both countries to exercise maximum military restraint.

The Indian government has contacted representatives from Russia, the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to inform them of the operation against Pakistan.

                                                                          Operation Sindoor

The name chosen by India for its military operation against Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, appears to carry religious symbolism. The term "Sindoor" refers to the red vermilion powder that many Indian women apply to their foreheads after marriage.

The massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir in April this year left several women widowed. In the days following the attack, a photo of a woman lying next to her husband's lifeless body went viral online, symbolizing the pain and heartbreak experienced by the victims. India’s defense and foreign ministers shared a picture of the name of the operation, which featured red powder.

Following the clashes between the two countries, India and Pakistan have imposed sanctions on each other, including the expulsion of citizens and the downgrading of diplomatic relations.

Experts view India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty as particularly serious. This treaty regulates the use of water from the Indus River and its tributaries on both sides. Islamabad has called the termination of the agreement an act of war and has threatened retaliatory measures.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between Pakistan and India, though both countries claim the entire territory. The origins of the conflict date back to the colonial era. In 1947, the British granted independence to the Indian subcontinent and divided it into parts. As a result of the partition, a new Muslim state, Pakistan, was formed alongside India. This division continues to fuel bitter rivalry to this day. Since independence, the two countries have fought three wars against each other, two of which were over Kashmir.

Over the past six years, both warring sides have significantly increased their air power. India has purchased Rafale fighters equipped with Scalp missiles, which have a range of 400 km, allowing it to strike targets without entering enemy territory. Pakistan has purchased Chinese J-10CE fighter jets to replace the French Dassault Mirage.