India Executes Military Actions: Pakistan Responds with Promise of Counter-Strikes
India and Pakistan Go to War Again over Kashmir, sending fire and fury across the border in the worst fighting in over two decades.
Pakistan claimed it shot down five Indian fighter jets in a retaliatory attack following India's strike on nine Pakistani "terrorist infrastructure" sites linked to the April attack on Hindu tourists that killed 26 people in Indian Kashmir.
India insists it targeted only terrorist camps, but six Pakistani locations were allegedly hit, resulting in at least 26 civilian casualties and 46 injuries. Pakistan declared it a "blatant act of war" and warned it would respond appropriately.
The South Asian neighbors also engaged in intense shelling and heavy gunfire across their de facto border in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, with both sides suffering losses. Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947 over Muslim-majority Kashmir, which both sides claim in full and control in part.
Analyzing the situation, experts argue that the risk of escalation is higher than in recent years due to the scale of India's attack, which India termed "Operation Sindoor." The international community has called for restraint and de-escalation, citing the potential for catastrophic consequences.
Meanwhile, stock markets and airlines have been affected by the conflict, with several flights being cancelled in both India and Pakistan. The Indian National Security Advisor spoke with US Secretary of State and briefed counterparts in various countries on the developments.
With both India and Pakistan engaging in a dangerous dance of brinkmanship, the world watches anxiously, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this age-old conflict.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, enriched with additional insights and context)
1) The severity of the current war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, particularly the confirmed retainatory attack by Pakistan against Indian fighter jets, has been especially noted in general-news outlets.
2) The arts world has shown solidarity with the victims of the recent fighting in Kashmir, with numerous artists and musicians targeting political themes in their work to bring attention to the ongoing crisis.
3) While sports events have continued in both India and Pakistan, the impact of the continuing conflict on international relations has led some athletes to speak out about the issue and call for peace.
4) The crime-and-justice system within both South Asian nations has seen increased scrutiny in recent weeks, with some alleging that the governments are using the conflict as a distraction from internal problems.
5) The latest escalation of the Kashmir conflict has resulted in widespread casualties and destruction, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic solutions and negotiations to avoid further targeting of innocent civilians and worsening the already grim situation.
