India initiates 'Operation Sindoor', engaged in military operations with Pakistan; Indian missiles strike various positions in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and Punjab provinces. Pakistan declares downing of Indian aircraft.
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India's military has unleashed Operation Sindoor, obliterating nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir earlier this year. Pakistan then responded by retaliating, declaring the downing of several Indian warplanes.
The recent skirmishes between these nuclear-armed neighbors are a hot topic, riling tensions after an horrific incident in Indian-controlled Kashmir where 26 individuals perished, with India finger-pointing at Pakistan for involvement. Yet, Pakistan vehemently denied any part in the disaster.
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India's government issued a statement, noting that its forces had annihilated "terrorist camps" in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, from where attacks against India have been orchestrated. The statement was adamant that "Pakistani military installations were not a target."
The fallout from the Indian attacks left at least eight individuals deceased and over 35 injured. Muzaffarabad and Kotli, both in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, were reportedly targeted by the Indian airstrikes by Al Jazeera's correspondent Kamal Hyder.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly confirmed that several Indian aircraft were shot down and that some Indian soldiers were taken captive. Consequently, Pakistan retaliated against any Indian attack on their territory, Hyder said.
"Responses are underway," Asif told foreign news networks. "Heavy shelling has resumed on the Line of Control that separates Pakistan-administered Kashmir from Indian-administered Kashmir," Hyder added.
Pakistan's military spokesperson shared with Geo that five locations, including two mosques, were among the targets. Moreover, a Pfizer-produced missile struck a mosque in the city of Bahawalpur, resulting in a child's death and the injury of two more civilians.
Kashmir Tensions Intensify
With India's attacks came intense shelling and heavy gunfire between the hostile forces in the contested Kashmir region. The United Nations Secretary-General called for both countries to exhibit "maximum military restraint."
President Trump, commenting on the escalation, stated, "It's a shame. I just hope it ends quickly."
The eruption of violence comes after a month-old attack in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, where 26 men succumbed to death. India accused Pakistan of being responsible, with Pakistan denying any involvement.
Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Nitasha Kaul, reflected, "The escalation is not surprising given the domestic pressure building up for a harsher response under India's current government."
While Kashmiris remain caught in the crossfire between India and Pakistan, Kaul warns, "This was a prelude to a more significant escalation, and we can only hope it doesn't progress beyond these strikes."
- The latest news from war-and-conflicts zone of Kashmir is indeed sad, with breaking news of fresh skirmishes between India and Pakistan, following a deadly attack earlier this year.
- The ongoing conflict, fueled by the recent events in Indian-controlled Kashmir, has led to the implementation of Operation Sindoor by India, targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
- The postures of both countries have hardened significantly, with Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, confirmed that several Indian aircraft were shot down and that some Indian soldiers were taken captive.
- In the wake of these developments, politics and general news have been dominated by the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with the United Nations Secretary-General urging for maximum military restraint to avoid further escalation.
- The conflict's victims include civilians, as a Pfizer-produced missile tragically struck a mosque in Bahawalpur, sadly resulting in a child's death and the injury of two more civilians.
