Camilla Jessen
India launches “Operation Sindoor” targeting what it calls terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
Late Tuesday night, India launched a series of airstrikes under the banner of “Operation Sindoor”, targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
According to India’s Ministry of Defense, nine locations were hit in a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” operation, carried out in response to a recent militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead.
In a statement, New Delhi asserted that “no Pakistani military installations were targeted” and that the strikes were carried out from Indian airspace.
The Indian government continues to accuse Islamabad of harboring militant groups responsible for cross-border terrorism — claims Pakistan denies.
In response, Pakistan launched artillery strikes on Indian positions in the disputed Kashmir region.
This was reported by Digi24.
Heavy Casualties and High-Stakes Claims
According to Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Chaudhry, Indian strikes hit six locations in Pakistan with 24 separate attacks, resulting in eight civilian deaths, including a three-year-old girl in a mosque in Bahawalpur, Punjab province.
35 others were injured, and two remain missing.
On the Indian side, three civilians were killed by Pakistani artillery fire, as confirmed by India’s military.
Meanwhile, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft — including three French-made Rafales, a MiG-29, and a Su-30 fighter jet — as well as an Israeli-made Heron drone, in what it describes as acts of self-defense.
These claims have not been independently verified, and CNN reports that India has not yet responded to the allegations.
Political Fallout
The recent violence follows a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians last month — an incident India blames on militants supported by Pakistan, though no group has claimed responsibility and Pakistan denies involvement.
In a televised statement, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif condemned India’s actions as “missile attacks on civilian areas”, calling India’s justification of hitting “terrorist camps” false and politically motivated.
India, meanwhile, insists that the operation was “measured and non-escalatory,” and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.
“Considerable restraint was exercised in the selection of targets and method of execution,” the Indian government said.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the outbreak of violence, calling India’s operation “a disgrace” during comments made at the White House.
“I just hope it ends very quickly,” he added.
Trump stated that tensions between the two countries have been building “for many, many decades and centuries.”
Longstanding Tensions in Kashmir
The violence marks the most serious flare-up in the Kashmir region in recent months, where India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947.
The region remains divided, with India controlling the larger portion and Pakistan managing the rest. A separatist movement in Indian-administered Kashmir has led to tens of thousands of deaths since 1989.
India currently has around 500,000 troops stationed in the region.
Pakistan has vowed to “respond at a time and place of its choosing.”