India-Pakistan War: Live Updates and Global Reactions to Operation Sindoor

Amid escalating tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan, the world watches anxiously as the latest chapter in a long-standing conflict unfolds in real-time. On May 7, 2025, the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor, a series of targeted airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, a response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 dead, has triggered immediate retaliatory action and raised fears of wider military escalation.

India Pakistan War: Airstrikes, Casualties, and Operation Sindoor

India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it launched Operation Sindoor, a precision strike campaign targeting what it described as ‘terrorist infrastructure’ in nine locations, including major cities like Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province and several towns in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India claims the operation was non-escalatory and deliberately avoided civilian areas. However, Pakistan’s military has refuted this claim, citing the destruction of mosques, homes, and government complexes.

Pakistan has reported 26 civilian deaths so far and more than 46 injured. Among the most heavily impacted areas were Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where residents were seen fleeing into nearby hills. Eyewitnesses reported damage to a hydroelectric plant and severe infrastructural damage in residential zones. India, meanwhile, acknowledged casualties on its side as well, reporting at least 10 civilian deaths from Pakistani retaliatory shelling in Indian-administered Kashmir.

During the confrontation, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft, though India has yet to confirm or deny these reports. Local journalists from Srinagar and Pulwama reported heavy artillery and air skirmishes, while several aircraft were seen crashing on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

International Reaction and Regional Ramifications

The global community has responded swiftly to the developments. The European Union, the United Kingdom, and Germany have called for immediate de-escalation. Iran and Qatar have offered to mediate, while Turkiye has warned of the risk of ‘all-out war’. The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has confirmed ongoing communications with both India and Pakistan and called for restraint and direct dialogue.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a strong statement urging both nations to exercise military restraint, highlighting the catastrophic implications of any escalation between two nuclear-armed states. Meanwhile, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) warned that a nuclear exchange could result in millions of immediate deaths and long-term global fallout, including a potential ‘nuclear winter.’

Crucially, despite high tensions, diplomatic ties between the two nations remain intact—albeit strained. Both sides have refrained from expelling diplomats or fully severing communication lines, suggesting a possible path for backchannel negotiations.

Impact on Daily Life and Civil Infrastructure

The immediate civilian impact has been severe. In Pakistan, schools in Punjab have been closed, and hospitals are on emergency alert. In India, drills for air raids were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, and Haryana. Flights have been disrupted or cancelled across both nations, including from key airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Qatar Airways. Pakistan’s airspace remains partially closed, affecting international routes as well.

On the ground, both nations have mobilized military assets, and local residents—especially in Kashmir—have fled their homes for safety. Civil defense alerts, blackouts, and public safety drills have added to the sense of urgency and fear among civilians.

Political Fallout and Military Strategy

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized that India’s operations targeted only those responsible for terror attacks and that no civilian areas were deliberately hit. He praised the armed forces and PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. In contrast, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif called India’s actions ‘unprovoked and cowardly’ and declared the nation’s readiness to defend its sovereignty at all costs.

Both countries’ opposition leaders have echoed national unity. India’s Congress Party and Pakistan’s People’s Party have declared full support for their respective armed forces. However, analysts warn of the risk of unchecked escalation. Chietigj Bajpaee of Chatham House noted that even limited tit-for-tat actions could spiral due to nationalist sentiment and lack of effective crisis management channels.

Stock Markets and Defense Industry Response

Amid the turmoil, defense stocks have surged. In India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Electronics saw double-digit gains. In China, which supplies military equipment to Pakistan, defense indices rose sharply, led by Avic Chengdu Aircraft. These gains reflect increased investor confidence in defense spending amid heightened regional tensions.

India-Pakistan Conflict: A Historical Context

India and Pakistan have fought four wars, three of which were over Kashmir. The current escalation mirrors events in 2016 and 2019 when India conducted ‘surgical strikes’ following deadly attacks on Indian forces. Operation Sindoor is the most extensive strike since 1971, marking a dangerous shift in engagement between the two countries, both of which now possess nuclear capabilities.

Previously, diplomatic interventions—like those by the U.S. during the 2019 Pulwama crisis—helped de-escalate tensions. However, the global situation today is more complex, with multiple stakeholders, reduced American influence in Pakistan, and shifting geopolitical alliances involving Russia, China, and the Gulf states.

Outlook: Will Diplomacy Prevail?

As of now, a full-blown war has been narrowly averted, but continued military posturing and public rhetoric suggest that tensions are far from over. Both governments face internal political pressure to demonstrate strength, which may hinder swift diplomatic solutions. Nevertheless, ongoing international mediation efforts may offer a path toward de-escalation.

The world is watching. The next few days will be critical in determining whether this flashpoint leads to diplomacy or disaster.

FAQs on India Pakistan War

What is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor is India’s recent military campaign targeting alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

How many casualties have been reported?

Pakistan has reported at least 26 civilian deaths, while India has acknowledged 10 deaths from Pakistani shelling in its administered areas.

Is there a risk of nuclear war?

While the risk remains low for now, global watchdogs like ICAN warn that continued escalation could raise the threat of a nuclear exchange with devastating consequences.

What are global powers saying about the conflict?

The EU, US, UK, China, and Iran have all urged restraint. Some, like Qatar and Turkiye, have offered to mediate to prevent further violence.

What has been the impact on civilians?

Thousands have fled border areas, schools are closed, and flights have been canceled or rerouted, significantly disrupting daily life in both nations.

How does this conflict compare to previous India-Pakistan wars?

This is the most extensive conflict since the 1971 war, with unprecedented airstrikes and involvement of modern precision weaponry, raising serious global concerns.