On May 6, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” conducting missile strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation targeted what India described as terrorist infrastructure linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. India stated that the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. 
In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed a strong retaliation. He asserted that Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this aggression.
The Pakistani military reported that the Indian strikes resulted in at least eight civilian deaths and 35 injuries. In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian fighter jets and a drone, and initiated artillery fire across the Line of Control. 
The situation has led to heightened military readiness on both sides, with Pakistan closing its airspace and India halting flights to several northern cities. International leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and U.S. President Donald Trump, have expressed deep concern and urged both nations to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. 
The conflict remains volatile, with ongoing military activities along the Line of Control and heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, advocating for dialogue and de-escalation.