May 8, 2025 | BlogHear News Desk
New Delhi/Islamabad — Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically on Tuesday night as India launched Operation Sindoor, a 25-minute-long military offensive targeting what it described as militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
According to Indian defense sources, nine strategic targets were hit between 01:05 and 01:30 IST, in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 Hindu pilgrims. India blames the assault on Pakistan-based terror groups with alleged links to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Indian officials claimed the strikes hit deep into Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad, with one target as far as 100 km inside Pakistani territory. Notably, the operation marked the first time Indian forces reportedly neutralized a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore.
“We acted on credible intelligence and conducted precise strikes on terrorist hubs operating with impunity across the border,” an Indian military spokesperson said.
Pakistan Denounces Strikes, Reports Civilian Casualties
In response, Pakistan condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty, accusing India of targeting civilian areas including mosques. Islamabad reported at least 31 deaths and dozens injured, and claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and a drone—a claim New Delhi has not confirmed.
Pakistan’s military said six locations were struck, and vowed a “proportional response”, authorized by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Each drop of blood will be avenged. Pakistan is prepared to respond at a time and place of its choosing,” the PM stated in an emergency press briefing.
Pakistani officials also alleged that over 25 Indian drones were intercepted and downed across Lahore, Faisalabad, and Karachi, describing the surveillance and attack attempts as acts of war.
International Community Urges Restraint
With both nuclear-armed neighbors now in a dangerous standoff, global powers including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Iran, and the UAE have issued urgent calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement.
A joint statement from several UN Security Council members urged “both countries to immediately de-escalate and prevent a wider conflict.”
Strategic Shift in India’s Military Doctrine?
Defense analysts have labeled the strikes a major shift in India’s security posture. Unlike previous limited retaliatory strikes (such as the 2016 Uri and 2019 Balakot incidents), Operation Sindoor appears broader in both scale and geographical reach, hitting targets beyond the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan’s Punjab province.
“This isn’t just Balakot 2.0—it’s a signal that India will no longer confine responses to symbolic targets,” said retired Lt. Gen. Rajesh Kumar. “The message is clear: terror camps anywhere will be considered fair game.”
Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria called the offensive a “Balakot-plus” operation designed to re-establish deterrence.
Will Pakistan Retaliate?
Military and political experts on both sides of the border agree that Pakistan’s retaliation is imminent.
Dr. Ejaz Hussain, a Lahore-based political analyst, told BlogHear, “Given the public pressure and media build-up, some form of military response—possibly surgical strikes or air raids—can be expected in the coming days.”
Umer Farooq, an Islamabad-based defense journalist, noted a shifting mood inside Pakistan: “Although public enthusiasm for conflict is muted due to internal political instability, any visible Indian aggression often renews support for the military.”
Risk of Escalation or Path to Diplomacy?
The current escalation is seen as the most serious military crisis between India and Pakistan since the 2002 Parliament attack standoff, surpassing even the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot confrontation.
Despite backchannel diplomatic efforts reportedly underway, experts warn that a single misstep could lead to full-scale war.
“If both sides don’t step back soon, this may spiral into a broader, conventional conflict,” warned Christopher Clary, a South Asia security expert from the University at Albany.
What Happens Next?
India has so far avoided publicizing post-strike damage assessments, while Pakistan continues to release statements signaling retaliation. Indian airspace remains closed to Pakistani carriers, and diplomatic ties have been further strained with the expulsion of diplomats and suspension of visas.
As both countries remain on high alert, the international community is watching closely, hoping diplomacy can prevail before the situation slips further into open war.
Stay with BlogHear.com for real-time updates on the India-Pakistan crisis, defense analysis, and expert opinions.
