India Conducts Major Missile Strikes on Pakistan in Operation Sindoor

In a dramatic escalation of military tensions, the Indian military launched multiple missile strikes against Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early on Wednesday, referring to the operation as 'Operation Sindoor.' According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least 31 Pakistanis have been reported killed across six cities as a result of the attacks, which targeted sites India claims are linked to terrorist infrastructure. The strikes were described by Pakistan’s military as 'unprovoked,' asserting that civilian areas, including mosques and residential neighborhoods, were hit. In retaliation, Pakistan claims to have shot down multiple Indian military aircraft amid the heightened conflict. The missile strikes were reportedly a response to a terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 Indian tourists in Pahalgam, a region both countries claim under their jurisdiction. This attack has been attributed to a group named The Resistance Front (TRF), which India alleges is connected to the notorious Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pakistan, however, has denied any links to the violence in Pahalgam and has expressed interest in a neutral investigation into the incident. The strikes mark a significant shift in tactics for India and are notable for targeting major population centers rather than solely military targets, suggesting a new approach to combating what India identifies as ongoing terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil. The cities struck, including Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot, hold not only civilian significance but are also strategic in the context of regional security dynamics. Amid these developments, diplomatic relations between the two nations continue to deteriorate, with both countries expelling each other's citizens and India suspending participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement. The fear now looms that the conflict could escalate further, given the historical backdrop of numerous wars and border skirmishes between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Analysis from military and geopolitical experts suggests a precarious balance where both nations are likely calculated risks with significant internal pressures to act. India's recent actions may have been motivated by a need to respond decisively in the wake of public expectation for accountability regarding terrorist actions, whilst Pakistan's military feels compelled to assert itself in the face of Indian aggression, as this has been integral to its political legitimacy. The backdrop of this conflict raises questions about international involvement and the shrinking role of external actors previously engaged in mediating tensions. As hostilities increase, the risk of miscalculation amplifies, presenting a dangerous landscape where both sides stand ready to assert military power, potentially with grave consequences for regional and global stability.