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The escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22nd culminated in a series of retaliatory actions, most notably Operation Sindoor. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including 25 Indians and a Nepali tourist in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, sent shockwaves across India and the international community. The incident, deemed one of the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attack in 2019, prompted a strong and immediate response from the Indian government. The timeline of events following the attack reveals a rapid descent into heightened hostility, characterized by diplomatic downgrades, economic sanctions, and ultimately, military action. The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, expressed profound sorrow and reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism. S Jaishankar, the external affairs minister, orchestrated a special briefing outlining India's firm stance. In the immediate aftermath, India implemented a series of measures designed to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically. Diplomatic ties were downgraded, the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended, the Attari-Wagah border was sealed, Pakistani diplomats were declared persona non grata, and visas for Pakistani nationals were suspended. These actions were complemented by military posturing, including missile tests and large-scale air force drills. The Prime Minister, during a rally in Bihar, vowed to identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers, signaling a zero-tolerance policy. Pakistan responded in kind, suspending visas for Indian nationals, closing its airspace to Indian aircraft, halting all trade, and suspending the Simla Agreement, a key framework for bilateral peace and cooperation. This reciprocal escalation created a volatile environment, fraught with the risk of further conflict. The launch of Operation Sindoor marked a significant turning point. This tri-services operation, conducted from Indian soil, targeted nine terror hideouts belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was presented as a direct response to the Pahalgam attack and a demonstration of India's resolve to eliminate terrorist threats emanating from Pakistani territory. However, Pakistan responded with drone strikes on Indian cities, further intensifying the conflict. India retaliated by destroying Pakistan’s HQ-9 air defense system as part of Operation Sindoor. The escalating nature of the conflict led to widespread evacuations from border areas. Senior defence officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Lt Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, addressed the media, emphasizing that India’s strikes were focused and non-escalatory. Mock drills were conducted across border cities, including Chandigarh, Varanasi, and Delhi, to prepare citizens for potential Pakistani aggression. The following days saw India thwarting numerous Pakistani drone incursions across a wide geographical area, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. Prime Minister Modi characterized this as the “new normal,” asserting that Operation Sindoor was ongoing and that India would continue to respond to terrorism and its supporters “in a language they understand.”
The intensity of the conflict reached a peak on the nights of May 7th and 8th, with both sides engaging in intense aerial and artillery exchanges. India reported thwarting attempts by Pakistan to violate Indian airspace, launching 300-400 drones across 36 locations, and targeting military infrastructure. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that India’s response was precise, non-escalatory, and aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure. He condemned Pakistan’s actions, alleging that they resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Conversely, Pakistan accused India of initiating the aggression, claiming that Indian forces used armed drones to target 26 locations across the Indian border, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. Pakistan alleged that key installations, including airports and air bases, were the focus of these attacks, although they were effectively neutralized by Pakistani defenses. As a precautionary measure, a complete blackout was imposed in Udhampur and parts of the Kashmir Valley, as well as in parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi. India responded to what it characterized as massive provocation from Pakistan by launching retaliatory strikes on eleven Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui. This marked a significant escalation in the conflict, with both sides directly targeting each other’s military infrastructure. After four days of intense missile and drone attacks, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. However, this temporary halt in hostilities was short-lived, with Pakistan allegedly violating the ceasefire agreement within four hours. To manage the security situation, India imposed a complete blackout in the Akhnoor and Udhampur regions of Jammu and Kashmir, and similar measures were enforced in Jalandhar, Punjab. The Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, stated that over 100 terrorists were killed by the armed forces under Operation Sindoor. As tensions gradually subsided, normalcy began to return to states along the India-Pakistan border. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations, reported that the Indian armed forces had inflicted significant damage on Pakistan’s forces during the three-day confrontation, including downing fighter jets and striking key military installations near Islamabad. He also stated that 35-40 Pakistani military personnel were killed during the clashes.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation at 8 PM, delivering his first public statement since the launch of Operation Sindoor. He lauded the valor of the Indian Armed Forces for carrying out the operation and dedicated it “to every mother of our country, to every sister of the country.” The Prime Minister also visited Adampur air base in Punjab, where he interacted with air force personnel, describing it as a “special experience.” The events following the Pahalgam terror attack underscore the complex and volatile relationship between India and Pakistan. The attack served as a catalyst for a rapid escalation of tensions, leading to diplomatic downgrades, economic sanctions, and ultimately, military action in the form of Operation Sindoor. While a ceasefire was eventually agreed upon, the underlying issues that fuel the conflict remain unresolved. The incident highlights the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the potential for it to trigger broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The future of India-Pakistan relations remains uncertain. The Pahalgam attack and the subsequent events have further eroded trust and confidence between the two countries. While dialogue is essential to resolving the long-standing disputes, the current environment is not conducive to meaningful negotiations. India has consistently maintained that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist. Unless Pakistan takes credible and verifiable action to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil and prevent cross-border terrorism, any prospect of a resumption of talks remains remote. The international community has a crucial role to play in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. It is essential to hold Pakistan accountable for its support for terrorism and to encourage both sides to engage in dialogue to resolve their disputes peacefully. The Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked terrorism and the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. The need for a comprehensive and sustained approach to combating terrorism and promoting dialogue cannot be overstated. The consequences of inaction could be catastrophic, with the potential for further escalation and instability in a region already beset by conflict and uncertainty. The path forward requires a commitment to diplomacy, a willingness to address the root causes of terrorism, and a shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of India and Pakistan.
Source: Pahalgam terror attack to Operation Sindoor: What unfolded in between