Mumbai: Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have escalated following a series of Indian airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist camps across Pakistan. The strikes, carried out late last night, have placed Pakistan on a ‘red alert,’ triggering widespread security and emergency measures across the country.
Indian Airstrikes and Retaliation
Indian authorities claim that the airstrikes were aimed at “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the Punjab province. The attacks, which New Delhi insists were in retaliation for the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror assault that left 26 civilians dead, resulted in at least 26 casualties and 46 others injured, according to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Among the targets was Masjid SubhanAllah, an alleged hideout of Maulana Masood Azhar, the leader of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), located in the Ahmedpur Sharqia area of South Punjab’s Bahawalpur city. The strikes also hit several other locations, including Muridke, believed to be the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed.
Additional strikes were reported in the cities of Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bagh—all in Pakistan-administered Kashmir—intensifying fears of further escalation.
Pakistan’s Response and National Security Measures
The airstrikes have rattled locals across the country, many of whom are fearful that this could lead to a larger, full-scale war. In response to the developments, Pakistan has implemented a series of emergency measures. All government hospitals have been placed on emergency footing, and airspace for both domestic and international flights has been shut for the next 24 to 36 hours.
Educational institutions in Islamabad and the Punjab province have been closed, while security forces have been placed on high alert across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an urgent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the situation and strategize Pakistan’s next steps. Sharif is expected to address the nation on Wednesday afternoon, as tensions mount between the two neighboring countries.
International Concern and Calls for Restraint
The escalation has drawn the attention of the international community, with the United States urging both nations to show restraint and de-escalate the mounting tensions. Global powers have expressed concern about the potential for a wider conflict between the two nuclear-armed countries, especially after the April attack in Pahalgam, which has been linked to militants allegedly based in Pakistan.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department called for both sides to “avoid further violence” and engage in diplomatic measures to address their long-standing security issues.
Path Ahead
As Pakistan and India stand on the precipice of an increasingly volatile situation, the possibility of further strikes or a retaliatory conflict remains high. The outcome of Wednesday’s National Security Committee meeting and the international community’s efforts to mediate will likely determine whether the situation can be contained or if a broader confrontation is imminent.
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