India hits militant sites in Pakistan and Kashmir amid cross-border tensions

India confirms missile strikes in Pakistan and Kashmir as tensions escalate

Nine sites hit in coordinated strikes under 'Operation Sindoor'; Pakistan vows retaliation

India has launched a series of targeted missile strikes on what it claims are militant infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, marking a serious escalation in one of the world's most volatile regional flashpoints. The coordinated strikes, conducted under the codename Operation Sindoor, follow last month's deadly attack on Indian tourists in the Kashmir region.

According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence, nine separate locations were struck from within Indian airspace. The Ministry emphasized that the operation was “focused, measured and non-escalatory,” and that no Pakistani military installations were targeted.

“India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,” the statement read, positioning the attack as a counter-terrorism measure rather than a military provocation.

Pakistan confirms multiple civilian areas hit

Officials in Pakistan have provided a different account. Speaking to Geo TV, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Indian missiles hit civilian areas, refuting India’s claim of striking militant camps. He called the attack “cowardly” and noted that it was carried out entirely from Indian territory, meaning Indian aircraft did not enter Pakistani airspace.

The Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) arm of the Pakistani military confirmed that missiles struck Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. Loud explosions were heard in these areas, with power outages reported in Muzaffarabad, according to Reuters. Eyewitnesses in the region described multiple blasts throughout the night, and local infrastructure damage is currently being assessed.

Artillery exchange reported in border regions

Amid rising tensions, India also reported artillery fire from Pakistan across the Bhimber Gali sector in Poonch-Rajauri, located in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Indian Army posted a statement on social media platform X, saying its forces were “responding appropriately in a calibrated manner.”

This development adds a new layer of volatility to the already complex situation, raising fears of further exchanges along the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC).

Indian Army hints at retaliation on social media

Shortly after the strikes, the Indian Army posted a message on social media that read:
“Justice is served. Long live India.”
The cryptic post was accompanied by an image tagged with the operation’s name — “Operation Sindoor” — suggesting symbolic significance behind the action.

Pakistan warns of consequences

A spokesperson for Pakistan’s armed forces issued a stern warning, saying:

“Islamabad will respond at a time and place of its choosing.”

The official confirmed that Pakistan’s air force jets were airborne in response to the strikes, signaling readiness for further military engagement.

Background: Kashmir attack rekindles long-standing hostilities

Tensions have sharply risen since a militant attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir last month left 26 people dead, most of them domestic tourists. India alleges that the attack was orchestrated from across the border, a claim that Pakistan has repeatedly denied.

Indian police later identified two of the attackers as Pakistani nationals, further fueling anger in New Delhi and likely accelerating the decision to launch a military response.

International community watching closely

The exchange of missile and artillery fire between India and Pakistan — both nuclear-armed nations — has alarmed the international community. While both sides have avoided direct hits on military infrastructure, the risk of miscalculation remains high.

Diplomatic observers warn that any further escalation could lead to a broader conflict unless immediate de-escalation efforts are made.

What triggered India’s military response?

The missile strikes launched by India were carried out in retaliation for a deadly militant attack that occurred on 22 April in Pahalgam, a popular resort town in Indian-administered Kashmir. The assault, which targeted tourists visiting the scenic Baisaran meadow, claimed the lives of at least 26 people, most of them domestic travelers.

According to survivor accounts, the attackers appeared to deliberately target Hindu men, intensifying the political and communal sensitivities surrounding the incident. Indian authorities identified two of the suspected four militants as Pakistani nationals, a claim that Islamabad has firmly denied.

In the wake of the Pahalgam massacre, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to track down those responsible, declaring that India would pursue them “to the ends of the Earth.” The attack has prompted a series of retaliatory steps from both sides, including border closures, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and exchanges of small-arms fire along the Line of Control.

As the situation remains fluid and potentially volatile, follow The Horizons Times for real-time updates and expert coverage of developments in South Asia’s most sensitive border region.
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