Just two weeks after a deadly militant attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, India has launched a series of airstrikes against targets in both Pakistan and Pakistani-occupied Kashmir. The operation, named "Operation Sindoor", is an unprecedented escalation of already heightened tensions between the two nuclear states. This incident is still at the top of India latest news headlines.
What Caused the Strikes?
The attacks come after the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, a picturesque town in Indian-held Kashmir, where 26 individuals—25 Indian citizens and one Nepali visitor—lost their lives. Witnesses said Hindu men were the target of the attack, making it the worst attack on civilians in the area in more than 20 years. As would be expected, the disaster hit all India latest news outlets immediately.
India's Defense Ministry referred to the operation as part of its "commitment to hold accountable those responsible" for the slaughter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed the attackers would be hunted "to the ends of the Earth." His statement has since been trending on India latest news outlets.
Earlier, Indian officials hadn't identified which group was involved. However, on May 7, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused the attack of having been planned by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group. India also accused Pakistan of giving shelter and support to such groups—something Islamabad denied vehemently. The new allegation is being investigated in depth by India latest news media.
How Did Pakistan React?
Pakistan called the Indian attacks "unprovoked aggression," and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the attack was "heinous" and promised it "would not go unpunished." He denied any Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack and criticized Delhi for levelling "baseless accusations." The events across the border have become a buzzword in India latest news.
Sharif claimed that the Pakistani military responded by employing its air defense systems, stating, "Our air force gave them a reply." The aerial battle details were covered extensively in India latest news and military reports.
Pakistan's military reports 31 killed and 57 wounded in the Indian attacks, which they say targeted civilian areas. They also reported five Indian aircraft and one drone destroyed—claims that India has not yet officially denied.
Where Were the Strikes Carried Out?
India said the attacks happened early on Wednesday morning, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. They were described as "terrorist infrastructure"—hubs alleged to be plotting and organizing attacks.
India emphasized no Pakistani military targets were hit, calling the attacks "focused, measured, and non-escalatory." That narrative still fills India latest news headlines and international diplomatic debate.
Simultaneously, Pakistan announced that it had selected three initial targets: Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-held Kashmir, and Bahawalpur in Punjab province. A later statement by the Pakistani military listed another three, raising the number of areas hit to six. Civilians' areas, according to Pakistan officials, were targeted, contradicting Indian claims of militant-run camps being attacked.
The state of Kashmir has been a longstanding source of contention between Pakistan and India, both claiming the entire state but sharing respective portions. India pulled out the Article 370 card in 2019 to revoke Kashmir's half-autonomy. While tourism increased and violence declined, grumbling and sporadic violence persisted. The Kashmir issue is one of the foremost-reported issues in India latest news today.
The recent killings in Pahalgam reignited fears of fresh unrest, and bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated rapidly. Before the airstrikes, both states expelled ambassadors, suspended visa services, and shut down border crossing points.
Most observers had anticipated a similar military retaliation as India's 2019 response to the Pulwama suicide bombing. The suicide bombing claimed the lives of 40 Indian paramilitary troops and was accompanied by a similar cross-border air strike and increase in tensions—another event etched in India latest news history.
What Happens Next?
With both countries now exchanging recriminations and both sides having reported casualties, things remain highly inflammable. The world calls for restraint and diplomatic efforts. However, with high nationalism prevailing and no end visible, the conflict over Kashmir is still a formidable threat to local stability.
As more developments take place, this story is likely to stay in the spotlight of India latest news headlines, the world and region held in suspense.