India has launched precision airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7, 2025, in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a statement, India emphasized that the strikes, conducted under “Operation Sindoor”, exclusively targeted terror infrastructure at nine locations identified as militant hubs. The strikes, carried out in the early hours of May 7, aimed to send a clear message that India will not tolerate acts of terrorism and that there will be tangible costs for Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.

The Indian government described the strikes as “measured” and “non-escalatory”, underscoring that only terror-related sites were hit. Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a rally in Bihar, had declared that India would pursue terrorists to the ends of the earth. With these strikes, India has signaled its firm resolve to retaliate decisively against terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil. The strikes have sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, with both sides suspending diplomatic and trade ties. International leaders, including the UN Secretary General and US officials, have called for restraint and urged both countries to seek a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation.

Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, claiming that the incident was caused by internal issues in India. Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s inflammatory comments, alleging that the attack was staged by India to discredit Pakistan, appear to echo narratives often associated with the Pakistani military establishment and have sparked outrage in India. Analysts note that such statements by public figures reflect complex domestic dynamics, where alignment with official positions can intersect with personal or professional considerations. Beyond the immediate tragedy, the Pahalgam incident has renewed debate about proxy warfare, disinformation operations, and the enduring influence of terrorist networks that complicate India’s governance efforts in Jammu and Kashmir and undermine prospects for regional peace.

A history of cross-border interference

The accusations surrounding the Pahalgam attack also resonate with a broader pattern of Pakistan’s involvement in regional conflicts, where allegations of cross-border interference and........

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