India-Pakistan tensions rise: Jet downed, drills begin (photos)
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the operation was in direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali tourist.
KATHMANDU: Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following a series of military strikes and retaliatory actions, sparking fears of a wider conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
On May 6, India launched a series of targeted airstrikes, codenamed Operation Sindoor, on what it described as terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the operation was in direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali tourist.
According to official sources, the airstrikes focused on hideouts belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. “These were precise, intelligence-driven operations against non-state actors,” a senior Indian defense official said. “There were no strikes on Pakistani military installations.”
However, Pakistan reported civilian casualties, including the death of a child and injuries to two adults in Bahawalpur. Islamabad condemned the strikes as an “unprovoked act of war” and warned of serious consequences. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed “firm and full retaliation.”
In the early hours of May 7, Pakistani forces reportedly opened mortar fire across several sectors of the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the deaths of three Indian civilians. The Indian Air Force confirmed it had shot down a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet that allegedly violated Indian airspace over Pulwama.
In anticipation of further escalation, India began a nationwide civil defense exercise on Tuesday. The drill, titled Operation Abhyaas, spans over 240 districts and includes mock air raid drills, blackout protocols, and public safety briefings. Key metropolitan cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, are participating.
International reactions have been swift. UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for calm and dialogue, urging both sides to exercise “maximum restraint.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized India’s airstrikes as “regrettable,” while other world leaders have called for immediate de-escalation.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricket captain Moin Khan appealed for the resumption of cricket diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, he expressed disappointment at India’s decision to skip the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and urged both nations to use sports as a platform for peace.
As of Wednesday evening, both countries remain on high alert with diplomatic channels frozen and military readiness intensified on both sides of the LoC.
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