What's happened
On May 7, 2025, India and Pakistan engaged in severe military exchanges, marking the worst violence in decades. Following Indian missile strikes that reportedly killed 31 civilians in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation. The conflict escalated after India accused Pakistan of supporting a recent attack on tourists in Kashmir.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Escalation of Conflict: The recent military exchanges signify a dangerous escalation in hostilities, with both nations exchanging artillery fire and missile strikes.
- Political Motivations: Analysts suggest that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be leveraging the conflict to bolster domestic support amid rising tensions.
- Humanitarian Impact: The violence has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports indicating at least 44 deaths, including children, raising concerns about humanitarian crises in the region.
- International Reactions: The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for restraint from various global leaders, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions.
- Future Outlook: The potential for further military action remains high, as both nations have indicated a willingness to retaliate, suggesting that the situation could deteriorate further if diplomatic efforts fail.
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, "We will avenge each drop of the blood of these martyrs," highlighting the resolve of Pakistan to respond to Indian strikes. The New Arab reported that the Indian military claimed to have destroyed nine terrorist camps, asserting that their actions were "focused, measured and non-escalatory." However, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused India of using the strikes to enhance Modi's domestic popularity, indicating a complex interplay of political motivations behind the military actions. The South China Morning Post noted that the violence has led to widespread panic among civilians, with many fleeing their homes due to the ongoing shelling. This multifaceted coverage illustrates the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to prevent further escalation.
How we got here
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high since a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militants. In response, India launched missile strikes targeting what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan, igniting a severe military confrontation.
Go deeper
- What led to the recent escalation in violence?
- How are civilians affected by the conflict?
- What are the international responses to this situation?
Common question
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What triggered the recent escalation in the Kashmir conflict?
The Kashmir conflict has seen a significant escalation in violence recently, with both India and Pakistan exchanging fire and blaming each other for the latest incidents. Understanding the triggers and historical context of this conflict is crucial for grasping the current situation. Below are some common questions that arise regarding this ongoing crisis.
More on these topics
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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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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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Kashmir is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range.
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.