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2025 India–Pakistan standoff
Bilateral crisis following the 2025 Pahalgam attack From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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On 23 April 2025, a standoff emerged between India and Pakistan,[4] which was sparked by the 2025 Pahalgam attack, a terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, killing 27 people, including 25 Hindu tourists, a Christian tourist, and a local Muslim, as well as injuring more than 20 others. The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility for the attack.[33][34] Armed skirmishes between India and Pakistan were reported along the Line of Control (LoC) beginning on 24 April, raising fears of further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
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The standoffs were followed by a diplomatic crisis which emerged between the two countries, as India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attack. India initiated the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, recalled its own diplomatic staff, suspended visa services, closed its borders, and announced its withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty,[1] while Pakistan denied the allegations and responded with trade restrictions, closure of airspace and border crossings, and suspension of the Shimla Agreement.[4] India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also strongly urged Indian citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan, and called on those currently in the country to return at the earliest opportunity.[35]
Between 24 April and 6 May, Pakistan and India engaged in heavy skirmishes including cross-border firing and artillery shelling.[36] On 7 May 2025, India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor. According to India, the missile strikes targeted the militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to Pakistan, the Indian strikes targeted civilian areas, including mosques, killing 31 Pakistani civilians. In retaliation to the strikes, Pakistan said they had downed a number of Indian jets and damaged Indian infrastructure.
There were a number of misinformation campaigns across both the countries' media outlets following the strike.
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Background
An Islamist armed insurgency broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in the late 1980s, which resulted in the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the region and the insurgency has been ongoing since.[37]
On 22 April 2025, a terrorist[38][39][40] attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 26 tourists and injured more than 20 others.[41][42] According to eyewitness testimonies provided to Indian media outlets, assailants reportedly questioned potential victims about their religious identity before opening fire, specifically targeting non-Muslims.[43]
The attack became among the deadliest attacks against Indian civilians in the region since 2000. The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based, UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba,[34][44][33] initially claimed responsibility. They stated that the attack was in opposition to Indian government policy allowing Indian citizens to live and work in Kashmir, that resulted in non-local settlement in the region.[45][44] Four days later, they retracted their claim.[46]
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Diplomatic crisis
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On the night of 23 April 2025, the Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri held a special press briefing after a meeting with the CCS. He announced India's decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.[47] He further announced the closure of the integrated check post at Attari–Wagah Border, a travel ban for all Pakistani nationals to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and cancellation of all previously issued visas. Additionally, Pakistani military advisers at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were expelled, while their Indian counterparts in Islamabad were withdrawn, and the staff strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was reduced from 55 to a minimum of 30. The posts of such military advisors were deemed abolished.[48][49]
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims,[50] and its defense minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and regarded such events as revolutions.[51][52] However, in an interview with Sky News, while responding to allegations of terrorism, Asif said that Pakistan had backed terrorist activities at the direction of United States, Britain and the West going back three decades.[53][54]
Pakistan responded to the suspension of the treaty by describing it as inappropriate and lacking seriousness.[55] Pakistan also warned India of a comprehensive retaliation in response to the actions announced by the Indian government in the aftermath of the incident,[56] further stating that any action affecting water resources would be considered an act of war.[57][58] On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelled Indian diplomats and instructed Indian military advisers to depart the country no later than the 30 April.[59] However, the Kartarpur Corridor remained open for Sikh pilgrims.[60] Pakistan also cut off all trade with India.[61] Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement, on 24 April 2025 in retaliation.[62][63] The Attari–Wagah border ceremony was also reduced and the symbolic handshake did not take place.[64][65] Cross-border families were affected where their visas revoked.[66][67][68][69][70]
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Escalation
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Initial standoff
A joint cordon and search operation was initiated by the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A temporary lockdown was imposed in Pahalgam, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed to track down the militants, who reportedly fled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range.[71][72] On 25 April, soldiers demolished the family residences of two individuals suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam attack.[43] An Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers wounded during a gunfight with insurgents in the Basantgarh region of Udhampur.[16] Senior Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Altaf Lalli was also killed in the gunfight.[73]
Both Pakistani and Indian air forces conducted intensive flights near the LoC.[74] An Indian Border Security Force soldier belonging to the 182nd battalion of the BSF was captured by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally entered the Pakistani side of the Ferozepur border.[17][75][76]
Also on 24 April, the Indian XV Corps reported that it had thwarted an infiltration attempt by insurgents near Uri and killed 2 insurgents.[77]
Between 24 April and 5 May, Indian and Pakistani army engaged in skirmishes and exchanged small arms firing.[43][78][79][36][80] Reportedly, Pakistan's army initiated small arms firing across various sectors along the LoC,[81] which was described as "unprovoked" by Indian media.[82][83][84] The Pakistani army stated it shot down two Indian military quadcopter drones along the LoC in the Satwal sector and in the Manawar sector of Bhimber district.[85][86][87][88]
On 28 April, Pakistani Defense Minister Asif stated that an attack from the Indian armed forces was "imminent".[89] On 30 April, Pakistan claimed it has "credible intelligence" that India is going to launch military action within several hours.[90] On the night of 29 April, Pakistani forces opened fire on the international border along Kashmir.[91][92] On 1 May, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said that no terrorist involved in the attack would be spared by India.[93]
On 3 May, a soldier from the Pakistan Rangers was captured by BSF after crossing the border to India.[26]
On 5 May, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs announced an "effective civil defence in the event of a hostile attack" on 7 May across 7 states. Such drills were last conducted by India during 1971. As per reports, the drill includes operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens, crash blackout measures, training of civilians on civil defence and evacuation plans.[94][95]
Release of river water
Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 on 23 April 2025, local media in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, reported on 26 and 27 April that India had released water from the Uri Dam into the Jhelum River unannounced, resulting in flooding.[96][97] Additional reports indicated a sharp decline in water levels of the Chenab River in Sialkot, Pakistan, with satellite imagery showing significant drying of the riverbed.[98] On 4 May 2025, India had closed the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and was planning a similar move at the Kishanganga Dam on the Neelum River.[99][100]
Operation Sindoor
7 May
On the night of 6/7 May, India launched "Operation Sindoor", striking what it described as "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan.[101] The operation lasted 23 minutes and consisted of missile strikes by IAF jets. The Rafale fighter jet equipped with the SCALP cruise missile and hammer bombs were used.[102][103]
Reported targets included Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad.[104] India claims the strikes in Bahawalpur reportedly killed close aides and family members of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed.[105] Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence (India), said on 8 May that at least 100 militants had been killed in the strikes.[106] Hours after the strikes, Indian President Droupadi Murmu was briefed on Operation Sindoor, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[107] The president supported the military action.[108]
Witnesses and local reports suggested at least two aircraft went down — one in India and another in Indian-administered Kashmir. Analysts reviewing images of the wreckage identified one downed object as an external fuel tank likely from a Rafale or Mirage jet.[109] Pakistani media later claimed their forces shot down five Indian fighter jets over Indian airspace.[110] The wreckage of crashed aircraft in Bathinda, Indian Punjab was confirmed to be that of a French air-to-air missile of a type used on both Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighter jets - both are operated by the Indian Air Force.[111] According to a French official, Pakistan had downed at least one Dassault Rafale with the possibility of more being downed,[112] while a US official stated that Pakistan had downed at least 2 aircraft with its J-10 Fighter.[11]
The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attacks as "cowardly" and vowed retaliation.[113]
Following the operation, the Pakistan Army reportedly conducted heavy mortar and artillery shelling on Poonch, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. At least 15 civilians were killed and 43 injured.[114][115]
8 May
On 8 May, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, held an emergency meeting with top military commanders, stating that Pakistan would respond with "full force" if provoked further.[116] Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the Indian strikes, calling them "an act of war." In a televised address, he vowed diplomatic retaliation and called for international intervention to de-escalate the situation.[117]
On the following night, Pakistani authorities said that several Indian drones intruded in Pakistani airspace, and 12 Indian drones were shot down. As per Pakistan, these drones were sent into nine different locations including the cities of Karachi and Lahore, and one of the drones struck a Pakistani millitary facility near Lahore.[118]
In response, Indian authorities claimed that Pakistan launched drone and missile strikes across several Indian cities including Amritsar and that, India negated these strikes by the S-400 missile system.This was the first combat use of the Indian S-400 missile system or Sudarshan.[119] In response, India carried out SEAD/DEAD operations and claimed to have neutralized the air defence systems in Lahore. The Pakistani military claimed to have shot down 25 Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions in the Pakistani side of the border, an Indian government source confirmed at least one of those being taken down.[120][22]
The Indian government said it was "compelled to respond to bring Mortar and Artillery fire from Pakistan to a halt".[121][122] However, Pakistan denied these claims and asserted that the Indian Army mistakenly struck itself in Amritsar and blamed it on Pakistan in order to fuel anti-Pakistan sentiment among Sikhs.[123]
Indian media reports claimed that Pakistan launched an airstrike directed in and around Jammu district including the airport and the Jammu University at in the evening. All of the eight adversary missiles were claimed to have been intercepted by the S-400 missile system. Reportedly, multiple explosions were heard in Jammu along with an explosion in Jaisalmer,[124][125][126] where drones and fighter jets were also reported.[127]
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United Nations
The United Nations urged both sides to have "maximum restraint" and to resolve the issues diplomatically.[128]
Iran
On 25 April, the Islamic Republic of Iran proposed to mediate a solution aiming at de-escalation between Pakistan and India.[129]
Russia
Russia issued a travel advisory in April 2025, warning its citizens against traveling to Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory cited increased security risks in the region. The United Kingdom also issued a similar warning around the same time, mainly referring to the LoC.[130] China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, urged for de-escalation between the two countries.[131] Bangladesh and UAE supported peace talks.[132][133][134][135]
United States
The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory, issuing a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for India's Jammu and Kashmir, citing high risks of terrorism and civil unrest.[136] Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, reaffirming its support for India's counterterrorism efforts.[137][138] Later on, on 26 April 2025, President Donald Trump downplayed the diplomatic crisis, stating that the two nations "had that fight for 1,500 years", despite the fact that the Kashmir Crisis started in 1947.[139][140] United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he is closely monitoring the situation after being advised by National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval via phonecall after Operation Sindoor.[141]
According to US sources, the Indian airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, included a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Bahawalpur. This camp was historically linked to the 2002 abduction and murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl. The operation reportedly resulted in the death of Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior JeM commander and brother of Masood Azhar, who was implicated in Pearl's beheading.[142][143][144]
India
Members of the Indian diaspora protested outside the High Commission of Pakistan, London.[145][146]
The Government of India subsequently enacted a ban on several Pakistan based YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, as well as false narratives targeting the country, its Army, and security agencies, as well as a ban on Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities.[147][148]
As of 8 May 2025 the escalation caused significant disruptions in air travel across the region. India has closed 27 airports in its northern and western regions until 10 May, resulting in the cancellation of over 430 flights. Major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have suspended operations to and from affected areas. International carriers such as Lufthansa, KLM, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways have rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer travel times and delays on routes between Europe and Asia. Pakistan has also suspended flights from key airports, including Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, until further notice. The situation remains fluid, with both countries' airspaces experiencing closures and reroutings, impacting global aviation networks.[149][150]
Pakistan
In May 2025 a coalition of Pakistani actors including Andan Siqqudi and Ghulam Mohiuddin called for peace talks, emphasising the urgent need for dialogue and understanding to foster harmony and resolve conflict.[151][152]
Nepal
On May 9, 2025, a peace group held a mass demonstration to demand peace.[153]
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References
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