What's happened
On May 8, 2025, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation against India's airstrikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes, part of Operation Sindoor, have escalated military tensions, with both sides exchanging artillery fire and Pakistan claiming to have shot down Indian jets. Experts warn of potential escalation.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Historical Context: India and Pakistan have a long history of military confrontations, often exercising restraint to avoid full-scale war. However, recent events challenge this pattern.
- Military Strategy: India's strikes were described as 'precision strikes' aimed at terrorist camps, while Pakistan's response indicates a commitment to retaliate, raising fears of a broader conflict.
- International Implications: China's call for restraint highlights the geopolitical stakes, as both nations are neighbors to China, which opposes terrorism and seeks stability in the region.
- Future Outlook: The likelihood of escalation remains high, but both nations have previously shown a preference for avoiding full-scale war. The situation will require careful management to prevent further conflict.
What the papers say
According to Gulf News, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Islamabad would target only military installations in India, suggesting a measured response. In contrast, the South China Morning Post reported that India conducted 'precision strikes' at nine locations, claiming these were used to plan attacks against India. This discrepancy highlights differing narratives on the conflict's nature. Experts from DW noted that both countries have something to lose in a broader conflict, emphasizing the need for de-escalation. The situation remains fluid, with both sides exchanging heavy artillery fire, as reported by Gulf News.
How we got here
The current tensions stem from a militant attack in Kashmir in April that killed 26 people, which India attributed to Pakistan. This led to India's military strikes targeting alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Go deeper
- What led to the recent airstrikes?
- How has China reacted to the situation?
- What are the historical tensions between India and Pakistan?
More on these topics
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Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is a Pakistani politician and businessman who is currently serving as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan, in office since 11 April 2022. He is the current president of the Pakistan Muslim League.
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.