Tensions Flare Between India and Pakistan, Raising Fears of Full-Scale War

 

Deadly attack in Kashmir sparks military exchanges and international alarm over nuclear neighbors.

By Foreign Affairs Desk
New Delhi/Islamabad | May 9, 2025

A sharp escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan has reignited fears of a potential armed conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations, following a deadly militant attack in the disputed region of Kashmir earlier this week.

Kashmir Attack Sparks Retaliation

According to Indian defense officials, the conflict intensified after a cross-border attack on an Indian Army convoy in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir left 12 soldiers dead and several wounded. The attackers, allegedly members of the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), triggered immediate condemnation from New Delhi.

India responded within hours by launching “precision strikes” against what it claimed were terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the Indian and Pakistani portions of Kashmir.

“These were targeted strikes in self-defense,” said Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. “We will not tolerate terrorism or those who harbor terrorists.”

Pakistan Denies Allegations, Mobilizes Forces

Pakistan's military denied any involvement in the attack and condemned India’s airstrikes as “unprovoked aggression.” The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed that Pakistan shot down two Indian drones that violated its airspace and warned of “resolute retaliation” if further action is taken.

“We have no desire for war, but we are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty,” said Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in a televised address.

In response to the heightened tensions, both nations have reportedly moved troops and artillery closer to the LoC. Fighter jets have been put on standby, and air defense systems activated in several forward areas.

International Community Urges Restraint

The sudden escalation has prompted urgent appeals for de-escalation from global leaders and institutions. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for “maximum restraint,” while the U.S. State Department expressed “deep concern” and urged both sides to prioritize dialogue.

China, a strategic ally of Pakistan and an economic partner to India, offered to mediate and warned that further military action could destabilize the entire South Asian region.

Analysts warn that even a limited conflict could spiral out of control, especially given the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides and the history of war over Kashmir, most notably in 1947, 1965, and 1999.

A Fragile Peace Threatened

The attack and counterstrikes have effectively collapsed the recent backchannel diplomatic efforts that began earlier this year, aiming to restore trade ties and reopen bilateral talks.

Civilians living along the border in both countries have been evacuated in some areas as artillery fire continues to be exchanged sporadically. Schools and public transportation have been suspended in several towns close to the LoC.

With the region on edge and rhetoric intensifying, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the situation descends into a broader military conflict or if international pressure can succeed in bringing the two rivals back to the negotiating table.