India-Pakistan Cross-Border Strikes Escalate Conflict, Raise Alarm

May 7, 2025 — Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have dangerously escalated following a series of India-Pakistan cross-border strikes. The hostilities began early Wednesday morning with Indian missile attacks on multiple locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” India’s military offensive reportedly targeted nine sites allegedly housing terrorist infrastructure linked to the April 22 deadly attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Deadly Strikes and Civilian Casualties

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that at least 26 civilians were killed and 44 others wounded in the Indian attacks, which struck areas in Ahmedpur Sharqia district Bahawalpur, Muridke, Shakargarh, Muzzafarabad, and Kotli. Among the casualties were a three-year-old girl, a 16-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old boy. Three mosques were also reportedly destroyed.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, speaking in a late-night briefing, condemned the strikes as “unprovoked and indiscriminate aggression,” labeling them a violation of international law and Pakistan’s sovereignty.

India, however, maintains that its strikes were “precision attacks” that carefully avoided Pakistani military installations, focusing solely on infrastructure tied to militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—both of which have been blamed for cross-border terrorism.

Retaliation and Cross-Border Clashes

Pakistan responded with force. According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Pakistani ground forces are engaged with Indian troops along the Ceasefire Line, and the military has shot down at least five Indian aircraft and a number of drones and quadcopters. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif further claimed that Indian soldiers have been captured and one Indian infantry brigade headquarters destroyed, though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.

Pakistani artillery fire reportedly killed three civilians in Indian-held Kashmir, while India says it is responding “proportionately” to Pakistani shelling.

J-10C vs. Rafale: Modern Aerial Showdown

As the situation escalates, attention has turned to the air power of both countries. Reports indicate that Pakistan Air Force’s J-10C fighter jets, procured from China and equipped with PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, have been active in the contested airspace. The J-10Cs reportedly intercepted Indian aircraft during the early hours of the retaliation and are being used in high-alert combat air patrols.

On the Indian side, Rafale fighter jets, acquired from France and considered among the most advanced in South Asia, are believed to have played a central role in Operation Sindoor. Armed with Meteor missiles, the Rafales are capable of deep-strike precision missions and are seen as a key asset in India’s current military posture.

While no official confirmation has been provided on whether the two aircraft faced off directly, aviation observers note this may mark the first time both advanced platforms have operated in overlapping missions during an active confrontation.

Airspace Closures and Civilian Disruptions

The conflict has triggered widespread disruption. Both countries have shut down airports in affected regions. Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo have cancelled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, and other northern cities. Pakistan International Airlines has rerouted aircraft to Karachi. Qatar Airways has suspended flights to Pakistan entirely due to closed airspace.

In Pakistan’s Punjab province, schools and universities have been closed, and hospital emergency protocols have been activated. Similar alerts have been issued in parts of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Diplomatic Fallout and International Reactions

The global community is expressing deep concern. China called the strikes “regrettable” and urged both parties to “exercise restraint.” The United Arab Emirates and Turkey echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing diplomacy.

In the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Jeanne Shaheen have both called for de-escalation. Rubio reportedly spoke with both Indian and Pakistani national security advisers. Shaheen urged that “diplomatic engagement” be prioritized over military action.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar doubled down on the country’s rationale, reiterating that “the world must show zero tolerance for terrorism.”

Narratives Diverge

Both sides are actively shaping the media narrative. India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check account has rejected Pakistani claims of major Indian losses, while Pakistan’s official X accounts allege Indian troops raised a white flag of surrender at a post on the LoC—an assertion India has not acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has issued a stern statement warning that the strikes bring the two countries “closer to a major conflict.” Pakistan has invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, asserting its right to respond in self-defense.

Outlook: A Fragile Moment

With both countries standing firm on their respective narratives and military posturing, the world watches with growing concern as the India-Pakistan cross-border strikes mark one of the most volatile flashpoints in recent years—one that could either de-escalate through diplomacy or spiral into direct confrontation. The situation remains fluid and highly volatile. With both sides armed with nuclear weapons, the stakes are alarmingly high. While India asserts it has acted with “restraint” and Pakistan vows to defend its sovereignty, fears of a full-scale conflict loom. The coming hours—and how both governments handle domestic pressure and international scrutiny—may ultimately determine whether the region sees a return to uneasy calm or descends further into crisis.