The world woke up on Wednesday morning to the sound of bombs and diplomatic rumbles as India launched its biggest armed attack on Pakistan since 2019, marking a new high in the 77-year-old bloody struggle for control of Kashmir.
The attack, which began as early as 5 am, was launched by India on 9 locations in Punjab and Kashmir through “Operation Sindoor” with the emphasis on ensuring justice would be served for the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which India says was masterminded by Pakistan.
So far, Pakistani authorities have reported that the attack has killed at least 8 civilians, including a child, and injured 35 others.
Among the locations affected were mosques and residential areas in Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Muridke.
Not holding back, Pakistan retaliated to the attack and managed to shoot down five Indian fighter jets including three French-made Rafales, warning that a “befitting” response would be taken.
Following the attack, a state of emergency was declared in the Punjab region of Pakistan.
The situation immediately received various reactions from neighboring countries, with the Turkish Foreign Minister himself immediately contacting Pakistan to call for a diplomatic solution.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump described the conflict as shameful and called for it to end immediately.
With both countries closing their airspace and firing across the Line of Control (LoC) continuing, the world is now watching with anxiety.
Will this be the tipping point to nuclear war, or is there still room for peace?
