Massacre of 26 innocents in an off-track Pahalgam meadow, India and Pakistan are engaged in a confrontation that is gradually inching towards a war unless diplomacy takes over, reports Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
Ibrahim is a self-made entrepreneur who shuttles between Srinagar and Jammu almost twice a month. May 8, evening, he was driving home in the Sunjwan belt when the scare started. As he parked his vehicle, the first blast took place.
“I thought it (war) had finally begun,” Ibrahim said, while driving with some of his colleagues to Srinagar, a day later. “The first thing I thought was that death is basic to war and life as well, so why should I die unclean. I quickly had a bath.”
Minutes later, Ibrahim said he went up to the top floor and watched the skies that had converted into an amphitheatre. “I could not understand it much. What I saw were huge flares of balls hitting each other with bangs. The show was there for a few minutes, and then things were back to normal.”
The spectacle is the new normalcy in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. In Jammu, after protracted hours of blackout, as was the case in the rest of north India, people did not sleep at all. Some were on the roads for most of the night, smoking and shouting. Those in their bedrooms were awake but unable to sleep. “It is hell,” a resident of Akhnoor, a major town not far away from the International Border, said. “I know there were no losses but the spectacle that was displayed in the dead of the night indicates that things are very scary.”
Soon after the blasts were heard and the sirens were on, the younger lot rushed to the top floors to watch the happening. “This is a new generation,” Amit Kumar said. “They have no idea what the wars are all about. They have heard of wars but not seen one. Most of the education that they get about wars comes from the TV, and that is the glamour of it and not the devastation that it brings along.”
Barring the Sino-Indian conflict, all the wars that India fought were directly or indirectly linked to Jammu to Kashmir. Even the Chinese conflict emanated from a crisis in Ladakh, part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. While most of the wars were fought traditionally, it was the Kargil conflict in 1999 that was perhaps the first ‘war’, which was broadcast live, to a larger extent, by the TV into the people’s bedrooms. It was fought over nude peaks in Ladakh. The one that seems to be loading now, if no quick de-escalation is taking place, could be the most dangerous modern war between the two countries. On TV screens, it looks like a video game but the fact is that it could get worse.
Panic Everywhere
“What we could see and know is that there was a barrage of rockets that crossed the border but exploded mid-air,” JKNC’s senior leader and former minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, said. “There was no loss of life or damage to the property but the scare was too huge.”
Within minutes, the migration started. “People who have witnessed the devastation previously are scared,” Sadhotra said. “The migrations started during the night from Akhnoor, Suchetgarh, Samba, Madh and many other places which have been vulnerable in the past.”
“My dad and mom had reached Jammu late in the afternoon, and they were cleaning the home when the blasts started,” a young Mehjoor Nagar girl, whose family lives between Srinagar and Jammu, said. “They had not completed that the scare forced them to live in a bunker sort of a thing that we had constructed. Initially, it was impossible to talk to them. When I finally managed around midnight, they were busy cooking their meals.”
Kashmir Scene
Part of Kashmir always lives in Jammu. Within minutes after the blasts were heard in Jammu, Srinagar got into quick panic mode. The traffic started thinning, and the roads got deserted. The lights went off for some time, and that added to the panic. The vast cluster of settlements around the strategic Srinagar Airport was groping in the dark for most of the night.
“I had my relatives in a Jammu hostel crying till midnight,” one Srinagar-based reporter said. “It was much later in the night, and I sent another of my relatives to get her home.”
Ibrahim had decided to stay put in Jammu but his family in Srinagar remained on the phone for most of the nine. During the wee hours, he finally decided to take the risk of driving home despite the highway not being in good shape.
After living a few years of peace, Kashmir is gradually falling back into a crisis. The April 22 massacre of visitors in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, however, has not changed Kashmir alone. It has brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Though diplomacy is working overtime but seemingly things are yet to reach a stage where de-escalation could be visible.
The First Round
The first round of the crisis was over during the night of May 6 and 7, when India mounted a rain of missile attacks hitting select targets within the Pakistani part of Kashmir and the mainland.
The strikes were executed at 1:44 am and involved the use of precision-guided stand-off weapons, drones and advanced munitions. Claiming to have killed “more than 70 terrorists”, the officials in a briefing in Delhi said the calibrated military response was carried out under Operation Sindoor, a name picked personally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nine targets were hit within and outside the Pakistan mainland, and the targets were the facilities run and managed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT), the two militant outfits, banned in India and wanted for a series of cases. Officials said no Pakistani military facilities were hit, underlining India’s effort to ensure the operation remained focused, measured and non-escalatory.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a joint briefing alongside senior officers from the armed forces, described the strikes as a “measured, proportionate and responsible” act of self-defence. He recalled the UN Security Council’s statement after the Pahalgam attack, which stressed the importance of bringing the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice. Military officials – Col Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh – were part of the briefing.
“Despite a fortnight passing since the killings, Pakistan has shown no concrete intent to act against the terror groups thriving on its soil. Instead, there has been a pattern of denial and deflection,” Misri said. “Our intelligence indicated further cross-border attacks were imminent. It became imperative to deter and pre-empt.”
The strikes under Operation Sindoor, named after the vermilion worn by Hindu married women, is being seen as a symbolic tribute to the women widowed in the Pahalgam massacre. The spots that were hit by the missiles included Bahawalpur, Muridke, Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Sialkot, Barnala, ShawaiNalla, and Markaz Abbas in Kotli.
The strikes reportedly caused massive explosions in Muzaffarabad, triggering blackouts and panic. Announcements were made through loudspeakers, warning residents in several regions on the other side of the LoC.
In an official post, the Indian Army declared, “Justice is Served. Jai Hind.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed the sentiment on social media with the words, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed the need for “zero tolerance to terrorism”. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as “Bharat’s response to the brutal killings in Pahalgam,” asserting the government’s unwavering commitment to root out terrorism.
The Pakistani leadership termed it an “act of war” and promised a “befitting reply.” It said more than 30 people were killed and all of them were civilians, a claim rejected by India.
In the immediate aftermath, the Pakistan Air Force scrambled jets, and intense shelling was reported across sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), including Krishna Ghati, Lam, Mendhar, and Kupwara. India responded “in a calibrated manner”. Poonch, Uri and Tangdar witnessed massive shelling as a result of which more than 18 people were killed, so far.
What distinguished Operation Sindoor was the fact that for the first time in over five decades, the Indian military struck deep inside Pakistan’s Punjab province, a region considered the political and military heartland of the country. This marks the first Indian strike in Pakistani Punjab since the 1971 war, 54 years ago. Previous military engagements, including the 1999 Kargil conflict, the 2001 mobilisation under Operation Parakram, the 2016 surgical strikes, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, either remained confined to the Pakistani side of Kashmir or targeted areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. None had breached the symbolic and strategic red line of Pakistan’s Punjab.
New Weaponry
In Operation Sindoor, India demonstrated its aerial strike capability by deploying high-precision weapon systems. Among the key munitions used were the SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided bombs, both integrated with the French-built Rafale fighter jets that spearheaded the Indian Air Force’s offensive.
The SCALP missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is a European-designed air-launched cruise missile renowned for its stealth, long range, and high-precision targeting. With a range of over 450 kilometres, the SCALP can strike hardened, fortified targets such as bunkers and command centres while minimising collateral damage. The missile uses a combination of Inertial Navigation System (INS), GPS, and terrain mapping to home in on its target, and its terminal phase is guided by an infrared seeker that matches target imagery fed before launch.
Its low-altitude flight profile makes it extremely difficult to detect and intercept, making it ideal for penetrating deep into enemy territory. Officials told the media that the SCALP missiles reportedly obliterated the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur, killing key operatives and associates of Masood Azhar, who confirmed that 10 of his family members were killed in the attack.
Complementing the SCALP was the deployment of HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bombs. These French-made glide bombs are capable of striking targets up to 70 kilometres away and are designed to penetrate even reinforced structures. Equipped with GPS, infrared, and laser targeting capabilities, the HAMMER munitions are known for their resistance to jamming and high accuracy in complex terrain.
The inclusion of guided bomb kits, alongside these advanced missile systems, allowed for surgical precision, minimising the risk to non-targeted areas while ensuring complete destruction of targets, the defence sources told the media. Unlike the Balakot airstrike of 2019, which used older Mirage 2000 jets, Operation Sindoor marked the full operational debut of the Rafale platform, significantly upgrading India’s ability to conduct deep-strike missions with minimal risk and maximum impact.
Round Two
In Srinagar, the night intervening May 7 and 8 was calm and cool. But early in the morning of May 8, social media started reporting about a series of blasts in the Pakistani mainland, including Lahore city. No details were available till the Ministry of Defence in Delhi decided to break the news.
The defence ministry said the IAF on Thursday (May 8) morning carried out precision strikes on Pakistani air defence infrastructure, including the reported neutralisation of a key installation in Lahore. The Ministry described the action as part of Operation Sindoor, a calibrated and proportionate response to Pakistan’s failed overnight attempt to target Indian military sites using drones and missiles.
According to the MoD, the Pakistani strikes had aimed at multiple locations across northern and western India, including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Bhuj, Bhatinda, and Chandigarh. India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid and advanced air defence platforms, including the Russian-origin S-400 Sudarshan Chakra, were swiftly activated to intercept and neutralise the incoming aerial threats. Debris from Pakistani drones and missiles has since been recovered from several Indian cities and is being analysed as further evidence of cross-border aggression.
In swift retaliation at dawn, India deployed Israeli-made HARPY loitering munitions, drones designed specifically for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. These unmanned kamikaze aerial vehicles, capable of autonomously seeking out radar emissions, reportedly flew deep into Pakistani territory and struck critical air defence radars with precision. A security official confirmed that the radar system in Lahore was “reliably neutralised” during the strike, adding that the drones had loitered undetected before launching their high-explosive warheads.
“Our response remains confined to the same domain and intensity as the aggression,” the MoD stated. “But any further attack on Indian military assets will invite a fitting response.”
It was in response to these attacks that Pakistan fired a series of missiles and projectiles towards various places in India, including Jammu and Udhampur. All these projectiles were intercepted midair and blasted.
The formal and informal briefings by the top government officials in Delhi suggested that over the last more than decade, the defence forces in India have improved their capacity manifold.
Round Three
The worst of the unfolding war was witnessed during the night of May 9 and 10, when the two armies hit key military installations of each other. Srinagar woke up to a series of frightening thuds in the morning and later around noon. Unlike the drone assault, it was seen to be a missile attack. At least two houses were reportedly damaged, and debris of another projectile was recovered from the Dal Lake. The details were revealed by the army, IAF and the foreign ministry in a special briefing in Delhi.
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Col Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistani fighter aircraft and drones violated Indian airspace at 26 distinct locations, including Udhampur, Pathankot, Bathinda, and Adampur, launching high-speed missiles at approximately 1:40 am, targeting IAF infrastructure in Punjab. “Despite these provocations, our response was precise and proportionate. Several key technical and command sites of the Pakistani military were struck, including radar and aviation installations at Rafiqui, Mureed, Chaklala Khan, and Sialkot,” Qureshi said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan’s actions were “provocative and escalatory”. Videos available on social media showed Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Murid air base in Chakwal and Rafiqui air base in eastern Punjab province’s Jhang district almost in ruins. The officials confirmed some damage at a few places in Pakistani attacks but asserted most of the attacks were intercepted.
Though the officials denied the claims made by Pakistan about the damages in their attacks, they asserted that India is not interested in escalating the conflict further.
Diplomacy
Though most of the reportage in the Pakistani media is not available owing to access restrictions but the global media is reporting that both sides are putting the onus of de-escalation on each other. The fact is that every action has having reaction and then a counter-reaction, and this is walking the war talk further.
In a flurry of diplomacy aimed at easing tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi undertook back-to-back visits to Islamabad and New Delhi, offering Tehran’s good offices for de-escalation. While in Pakistan, Araghchi urged restraint and dialogue, emphasising that the region could not afford further instability. Later, he flew to Delhi, where he reiterated Iran’s call for calm and highlighted his country’s ties with both neighbours. Araghchi’s outreach was carefully timed, designed to show Iran’s willingness to play a constructive role without overtly challenging India’s long-standing position against third-party mediation.
In Delhi, Araghchi co-chaired the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Though the agenda covered bilateral cooperation in trade, healthcare, customs and connectivity, the shadow of the recent Pahalgam massacre and ensuing military escalation loomed large. Jaishankar made it clear that while India did not seek escalation, any military aggression from Pakistan would be met with a “very firm” response. During his visit, Araghchi also met President Droupadi Murmu and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, underscoring the importance Iran places on its relationship with India even amid a volatile regional backdrop.
Saudi Arabia is also emerging as a key regional player urging calm. In an official statement posted on X, Riyadh expressed deep concern over the escalating hostilities and urged both nations to avoid further confrontation, calling for a resolution through diplomatic means and adherence to principles of good neighbourliness. Reflecting the urgency of the moment, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir made an unannounced visit to New Delhi on May 7, where he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and was briefed on India’s position and findings regarding cross-border terrorism.
Saudi Arabia also played a parallel track in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought the Kingdom’s help, along with that of the UAE and Kuwait, to mediate and contain the spiralling situation. While India has dismissed any scope for third-party mediation, Saudi Arabia’s quiet shuttle diplomacy appears aimed at preventing a deeper rupture between the nuclear-armed neighbours at a time of high regional volatility.
Russia also expressed deep concern over the rising military confrontation. Its Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova condemned terrorism in all its forms and urged both nations to show restraint to avoid further regional destabilisation. Zakharova cited the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999 as the appropriate frameworks for de-escalation and resolution, calling for a political and diplomatic solution in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre.
The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door emergency session on May 5, to discuss rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 massacre. The meeting, requested by Pakistan, focused on the deteriorating security situation and the risk of further escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Khaled Mohamed Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General, briefed Council members on the crisis, including India’s military actions across the Line of Control and the broader regional implications. Later, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Pahalgam attack and called for maximum restraint. “A military solution is no solution,” he said, urging both sides to prioritise dialogue.
Some Council members questioned Pakistan over its links to armed groups and criticised its recent missile tests. The session concluded without a resolution or official statement.
The United States, however, has taken a cautious but watchful stance. Vice-President J D Vance ruled out any direct intervention. “We’re not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business,” he was quoted as saying. This was even though he acknowledged the serious risk of escalation between two nuclear powers. Emphasising restraint, Vance said Washington’s role was limited to encouraging dialogue and de-escalation rather than dictating outcomes. “We can’t control these countries,” he said, noting that the responsibility now rests with “cooler heads” in both capitals to avoid catastrophe.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has undertaken active diplomatic outreach, engaging separately with India’s S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif. While affirming support for India’s counterterrorism efforts and expressing condolences for the Pahalgam victims, Rubio also urged both countries to open direct lines of communication to prevent a broader regional conflagration. In his conversation with Sharif, the US called for tangible action against outlaws. Though maintaining a hands-off approach militarily, the US appears committed to ensuring the crisis does not spiral into a prolonged or nuclear confrontation, striking a balance between strategic neutrality and counterterror solidarity. It was eventually Rubio’s night-long “shuttle diplomacy” that finally led US President Donald Trump to announce a cease-fire.
Within hours after it was celebrated on TV, there were blasts across Kashmir and Jammu. At the time of the report being filed, nobody knew what was happening. Not even the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” he tweeted.
