India-Pakistan Missile Crisis Sparks Alarm
On 7 May 2025, the India-Pakistan missile crisis erupted when India launched missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This operation, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” followed a deadly attack on 22 April in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, died. India accuses Pakistan of orchestrating the assault, a claim Pakistan denies. Consequently, these strikes have heightened fears of escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, prompting global calls for restraint.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Precise Strike
India’s armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, hitting nine sites in Pakistan, including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur, areas India claims host groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Indian Defence Ministry stated, “Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted.” However, one strike hit a mosque in Bahawalpur, killing a child and injuring two others, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office. This incident has fuelled outrage, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemning the strikes as “cowardly.”
Pakistan’s Response and Retaliation Vow
Pakistan’s military reported that India’s missile attacks killed eight civilians, including two children, and wounded over 35 across six locations. The country’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, labelled the strikes an “act of war” and vowed retaliation, as reported by Al Jazeera. Pakistani spokesperson Ahmed Sharif claimed five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, were shot down, though India has not confirmed these losses. Pakistan denies any targeted sites were linked to terrorism, asserting civilian areas were hit.
Roots of the Conflict: Kashmir’s Divide
The India-Pakistan missile crisis stems from decades of tension over Kashmir, a region both nations claim but control in part. The 22 April attack in Pahalgam, described as the deadliest on Indian civilians in nearly two decades, reignited hostilities. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under domestic pressure, vowed to “hunt down” those responsible, as noted in his Mann Ki Baat address. Pakistan, however, insists it had no role and has called for a neutral investigation.
Global Reactions and Diplomacy
The international community has urged de-escalation. The United States called for restraint, with President Donald Trump briefed on the crisis. The United Nations Security Council has been approached by Pakistan to address the “maintenance of international peace.” Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign Office, through Lord Tariq Ahmad, warned that “the potential for war tonight is real” and stressed urgent diplomatic engagement.
Social Media: Fear and Division
Posts on X reflect anxiety and division. User @CallMeTehmi reported Pakistan’s confirmation of the strikes, framing India’s actions as targeting a “terror state.” Conversely, @RSAK1978 accused India of escalating the conflict, claiming civilian casualties. These reactions, visible on X, underscore polarised narratives surrounding the India-Pakistan missile crisis, with many expressing fears of broader conflict.
Military Posturing and Nuclear Risks
Both nations have flexed military capabilities. Pakistan conducted missile tests on 3 and 5 May, with its Fatah missile capable of striking 120 kilometres, per Pakistan’s ISPR. India test-fired long-range missiles on 28 April, showcasing precision, according to DRDO. Experts at the International Crisis Group warn that India’s Cold Start doctrine and Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence raise escalation risks.
Economic and Regional Impact
The crisis has disrupted stability. India suspended participation in the Indus Water Treaty, threatening water-sharing agreements. Airlines like Air France and Lufthansa have avoided Pakistani airspace. India’s ban on goods transiting via Pakistan and Pakistan’s visa cancellations signal economic rifts.
Historical Context: Fragile Ceasefire
Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two over Kashmir. A ceasefire along the Line of Control has been repeatedly violated since 24 April, with nightly gunfire, as reported by The Telegraph. The current crisis marks the most significant escalation since 2019’s Balakot airstrikes.
Path to De-escalation?
Analysts suggest diplomacy is critical. The United Nations and neutral mediators could facilitate talks, as Pakistan proposed. However, domestic pressures in India and Pakistan’s retaliation commitment complicate efforts. The International Crisis Group urges dialogue to avoid “catastrophic consequences.”
Ongoing Coverage
This article is part of a series examining the India-Pakistan missile crisis and its implications for South Asia. Future coverage will explore diplomacy, security, and humanitarian impacts. For now, the world watches as two nuclear powers navigate a precarious brink.
Andrew Clifford is a journalist at The Sentinel Current with a diploma in journalism. Based in Tyne & Wear, he specialises in crime reporting and amplifying voices in the community. Andrew follows The Sentinel Current’s editorial guidelines to provide accurate and balanced news coverage.
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
- Andrew Cliffordhttps://www.thesentinelcurrent.com/author/adminandrew/
