India Launches Missile Strikes on Pakistan in Retaliation for Pahalgam Attack
India has initiated a series of missile strikes targeting sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in what it describes as a retaliatory measure following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists.
The military operation, codenamed "Operation Sindoor," was executed on May 6, 2025, with the Indian Armed Forces launching missiles at nine locations identified as "terrorist infrastructure" linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The targeted areas included Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan's Punjab province. The Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that the strikes were "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," deliberately avoiding Pakistani military installations to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Pakistan has condemned the missile strikes, reporting that at least three civilians were killed and 12 others injured. Among the casualties was a child, and two mosques were reportedly damaged in the attacks. The Pakistani military has labeled the strikes as a "cowardly attack" on civilian areas and has vowed to respond at a time and place of its choosing.
The Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba has significantly heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In the aftermath, India has taken several diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including expelling Pakistani diplomats, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and revoking visas for Pakistani nationals.
As of now, both India and Pakistan have not indicated any willingness to de-escalate, and the situation remains tense, with the potential for further military engagements.
