Military action follows deadly Pahalgam attack as world leaders call for restraint

India launched precision strikes against multiple terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) early Wednesday, marking a significant escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The strikes, targeting nine terrorist camps, come in direct response to last month’s deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region.

Pakistan has reported at least eight casualties from the missile attacks and announced it has begun retaliatory operations. Meanwhile, the Indian army confirmed three civilians were killed overnight by Pakistani artillery fire along the Line of Control border.

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India’s response

India’s Defence Ministry justified the operation in a formal statement, describing the strikes as “precision” attacks on “terrorist camps” that fulfill its “commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”

Intelligence sources indicate that the strikes specifically targeted the headquarters of banned militant organizations, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s compound in Muridke, both located in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

A Pakistani armed forces spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that the Indian Air Force had indeed targeted these locations. Indian officials have emphasized that their actions were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” noting that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted in the operation.

International reaction

The military exchange has prompted immediate concern from world leaders, with calls for de-escalation coming from multiple capitals.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dismay over the situation when speaking to reporters at the White House: “It’s a shame; we just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time.”

The president added, “I just hope it ends very quickly.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on social platform X that he is “monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely” while emphasizing that Washington will continue engaging with both nations toward a “peaceful resolution.”

The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had briefed Secretary Rubio about India’s military actions.

UN and International Concerns

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern regarding the Indian operations across the Line of Control and the international border.

Through his spokesperson, Guterres called for “maximum military restraint from both countries,” adding pointedly, “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”

The United Arab Emirates joined diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions, with Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan urging both countries “to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.”

The UAE statement further emphasized that “diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Background of the current crisis

The current military exchange stems from the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. India’s strikes represent its first major military response to that incident, coming exactly two weeks after the attack.

As both nations possess nuclear capabilities, the international community remains on high alert, with diplomatic channels working urgently to prevent further escalation in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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