Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply after a series of cross-border attacks, leaving at least 41 people dead and nearly 100 injured.
India launched a pre-dawn strike on Pakistan on Wednesday, May 7, targeting what it called nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
Pakistan rejected India’s claims, saying the strikes hit six locations, including civilian areas, killing 26 people and injuring 46 others. Pakistan’s military also claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets.
Escalating Violence and Civilian Casualties
India hasn’t confirmed or denied Pakistan’s claims about the downed jets.
Unverified videos online appear to show wreckage from an Indian jet in Kashmir. India says its strikes didn’t harm civilians in Pakistan, but Pakistan’s retaliatory artillery fire hit civilian areas in Poonch and Tangdar districts of Kashmir, killing 15 people and injuring 43 others.
The conflict has disrupted air travel, with nearly 550 flights canceled between India and Pakistan since the attacks began, according to Flightradar24.
Pakistan’s aviation authority insists its airports are operating normally and its airspace is fully open.
International Concerns and Calls for Restraint
The international community is growing increasingly concerned.
Jean-Noël Barrault, France’s foreign minister, has urged both sides to show restraint to prevent further escalation and protect civilians.
Russia’s foreign ministry has expressed similar concerns, calling for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
The situation remains volatile, with both countries locked in a cycle of violence. The global community is watching closely, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions.