The death toll from Indian missile strikes in Pakistan and firing along the border has risen to 26, the military said. “Until now 26 innocent civilians have been martyred in attacks,” said military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. The strikes targeted multiple locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, including a mosque in Bahawalpur, where a child tragically lost their life.
The conflict between India and Pakistan has been ongoing for decades, with both countries claiming the region of Kashmir. The Line of Control (LoC) serves as the de facto border in this disputed territory, and tensions frequently escalate into armed skirmishes. The most recent clashes began on the night of 24–25 April 2025, following a terrorist attack on tourists in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Escalation of Violence
The current escalation started with a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on 22 April 2025. This attack resulted in the death of 26 people, marking the deadliest assault on Indian civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India accused Pakistan-based militants of carrying out the attack, triggering a rapid decline in bilateral relations.
In response, India expelled Pakistani diplomats, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty for the first time since its signing in 1960, closed borders, and revoked visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan, while denying any involvement, responded by suspending the Simla Agreement of 1972, closing its airspace and trade routes to India, and expelling Indian diplomats.
Military Actions
On Tuesday night, India launched a series of missile strikes on Pakistani territory. The strikes targeted nine locations, including Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Ahmed Pur East in the Bahawalpur District of Punjab. According to Pakistani authorities, the missile attacks resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians, including a child, and injured at least 12 others.
India stated that it targeted alleged “terrorist bases” operating within Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The government emphasized that the operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” striking nine sites used for planning attacks against India. Indian officials confirmed that Pakistani shelling in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed three civilians.
Meanwhile, Pakistan labeled the strikes a “blatant act of war” and vowed a robust response. Pakistani officials claimed their air force shot down two Indian jets, although no further details were provided. Pakistan reportedly launched retaliatory strikes, but specifics remain unclear. The escalating violence has led to widespread panic and destruction in affected areas, with both nations accusing each other of targeting civilians.
International Reactions
The international community has called for restraint and de-escalation. US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the clashes would end “very quickly,” while the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to have “maximum restraint” and to resolve the issues diplomatically.
The situation between India and Pakistan remains tense, with both sides exchanging gunfire and diplomatic barbs. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for de-escalation. The fate of the civilians caught in the crossfire remains uncertain, as the conflict shows no signs of immediate resolution.
