India strikes Pakistan on 7th May 2025 after Pahalgam attack, killing 26. Pakistan vows revenge, claims Indian jets downed. Global concern rises on India Pakistan War.
A deadly tit-for-tat raises fears of deeper conflict in South Asia
Imagine waking up to the sound of jets overhead and explosions nearby — that’s what many in Pakistan-administered Kashmir experienced this week.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have once again erupted into violence, following a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month. India responded with targeted missile strikes across the border, triggering retaliatory action and fiery rhetoric from both sides.
Here’s what’s unfolding — and why the world is watching closely.
Background of India Pakistan War: Why Did India Strike?
The flashpoint was Pahalgam, a popular tourist spot in Indian-administered Kashmir, where a deadly attack last month claimed multiple lives. India blames Pakistan-based militants for orchestrating the assault — a claim Islamabad denies.
In response, Indian forces launched coordinated strikes across six sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. India claims these were terror-linked targets.
Pakistan swiftly condemned the move and accused India of violating its sovereignty. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation, calling the strikes “cowardly” and vowing retaliation.
Pakistan’s Response: “They Will Pay Back”
Sharif’s national address was a mix of defiance and grief.
He claimed Pakistan had downed five Indian jets — a statement Delhi has not confirmed — and emphasized the bravery of Pakistan’s armed forces along the Line of Control (LoC). According to Sharif, within an hour of India’s strike, a “continuous fight” broke out at the LoC.
The strikes, he said, killed 26 people, including women and a 7-year-old boy, and injured 46 more. “For every drop of blood spilled, we will take revenge,” Sharif promised, urging citizens to remain united and courageous.
Conflicting Claims and Online Misinformation
India has yet to acknowledge any losses, including the alleged downing of jets. Meanwhile, misinformation has surged online.
Several viral videos claiming to show the strikes or aftermath have been debunked — including one video, seen over 400,000 times, which turned out to be footage from the 2020 Beirut Port explosion. BBC Verify has flagged multiple such clips as misleading.
This fog of war, amplified by social media, makes it harder for civilians and observers to discern truth from fiction — a dangerous trend in times of real conflict.
Global Reaction: Calls for Calm
The international community is watching with concern.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas urged de-escalation, while Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized “peace, diplomacy and restraint.” Both stressed the need to prevent further loss of life in a region already marred by decades of hostility.
India’s ruling party, the BJP, maintained that the strikes were defensive and targeted only “terrorist-linked infrastructure,” not Pakistani military assets. Spokesman Nalin Kohli reiterated, “Nobody wants war — but we will not allow Indian blood to be spilled unchecked.”
What’s at Stake: A Region on the Edge
Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, has been a flashpoint for over 75 years. The latest strikes and counterstrikes risk dragging the region into a broader military conflict.
Beyond the immediate human toll, there’s the ever-present nuclear shadow. Both nations possess nuclear arsenals, making every escalation a potential global crisis.
For India, the goal appears to be deterrence — showing it will respond forcefully to cross-border terrorism. For Pakistan, it’s about asserting sovereignty and denying complicity. But caught in the middle are millions of civilians — along the LoC and beyond.
What’s Next?
With both sides digging in, the situation remains volatile.
India has not commented on Pakistan’s claims about jet losses, while Islamabad vows to “reply for every drop of blood.” Whether diplomacy can dial back the rhetoric remains to be seen.
International mediators may now step in to calm nerves, but until then, the risk of further strikes — and miscalculation — looms large.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Cycle Repeats
The latest escalation between India and Pakistan is a painful reminder of how fragile peace can be in the region. As claims, counterclaims, and misinformation spread, one question remains:
How many more lives will it take before both sides decide to break the cycle?
Focus Keyword: India Pakistan strikes
Secondary Keywords: Pahalgam attack, Line of Control, Kashmir tension
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