IRIA News

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In a dramatic escalation of hostilities between South Asia’s nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan exchanged heavy cross-border fire and airstrikes early May 7, 2025, resulting in at least 31 civilian deaths in Pakistan and the downing of multiple Indian fighter jets.

The flare-up follows last month’s deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 Hindu pilgrims. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Islamabad outrightly denies.

India’s overnight strikes on Pakistan

Between 12:30 and 1:00 a.m. local time, India initiated “Operation Sindoor,” coordinated strikes by the Indian Air Force on what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in nine locations in both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian government said nine sites associated with the Islamist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were targeted.

The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” is believed to symbolically refer to the red vermilion powder worn by many Hindu women after marriage, which connects to the grief caused by the recent massacre of 26 pilgrims in Kashmir.

Indian officials described it as “precision strikes”. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri added that intelligence had revealed imminent threats, necessitating “pre-emptive and precautionary action.”

Despite Indian claims of avoiding civilian casualties, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Indian missiles hit six civilian areas, killing at least 26 people and injuring 46. A subsequent update by ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry later revised the toll to 31, stating that five additional civilians were killed by artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC).

Pakistan retaliates, claims downing of five Indian fighter jets

In a swift response, Pakistan’s military launched counter-strikes and claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets over various sectors of Kashmir and northern Punjab. Pakistani military sources claimed they shot down five Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales, a MiG-29, and an SU-30, along with one drone, citing “self-defense.”

Officials in Islamabad said Indian aircraft were shot down near the border and over Indian-administered Kashmir. Independent reports from local government sources in Indian Kashmir confirmed that at least three Indian jets had crashed in separate areas overnight, with all pilots hospitalized. India has not formally acknowledged the loss of its aircraft.

The wreckage of Indian Air Force fighter jets that crashed in Akhnoor and Pampore in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian jets after India launched overnight airstrikes on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/HMck4qPL9V

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) May 7, 2025

An AP photojournalist, Dar Yasin, documented wreckage at one crash site in southern Wuyan village near Srinagar, where debris damaged a local school and a mosque compound. Residents reported a large fireball, and Yasin confirmed that Indian forces cordoned off the area shortly after journalists began documenting the site.

Analysts reported up to five aircraft losses, including a Rafale in Punjab and a Jaguar in Indian airspace. Pakistani OSINT accounts on social media claimed a J-10C fighter jet shot down the Jaguar using a PL-15 missile, while a Rafale was reportedly downed in the Pampore area of Indian-administered Kashmir by an HQ-9B missile.

Social media circulated images of wreckage, but India has not confirmed these claims. Additionally, the wreckage of a French-made MICA missile was found near India’s Bathinda Air Force Station. The air crash in a field in India’s Punjab state was confirmed by a local police officer on condition of anonymity.

“Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “A strong response is indeed being given.”

The National Security Council of Pakistan declared the strikes a “manifest act of war” and lodged formal protests with the United Nations Security Council, reserving the right to respond “at a time, place, and means of our own choosing.”

Casualties and ground situation

The airstrikes and retaliatory shelling have resulted in significant casualties. Pakistan’s military reported at least 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries, with victims including children as young as three years old. On the Indian side, shelling from Pakistani troops across the Line of Control (LoC) killed at least eight civilians.

As the conflict intensified, both countries engaged in ongoing exchanges of gunfire and artillery fire across the LoC. In response to the escalating violence, Indian authorities ordered evacuations from high-risk zones, offering food, shelter, and medical support to those affected.

This heightened tension is the latest chapter in an ongoing cycle of violence, which continues to deepen the rift between India and Pakistan.

What we know so far about India-Pakistan conflict

• India’s strikes: India says it hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure. Pakistan called the attacks “an act of war.”
• Indian jets downed: Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafales. India has not confirmed the losses.
• Dam hit: Indian shelling struck part of a dam near the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to Pakistani security sources.
• Casualties: Pakistan reports 31 civilian deaths from Indian strikes. India says eight civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling.
• Kashmir attack fallout: India and Pakistan reached the brink of wider conflict after the April 22 Pahalgam attack on a scenic mountain spot in the India-administered part of Kashmir that killed 26, mostly Indian tourists. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Islamabad denies.
• Airspace impact: The strikes disrupted flights. Pakistan closed parts of its airspace and multiple airports, while several Indian airlines have reported disrupted flights and closed airports in the country’s north.

Airspace closures disrupt regional and global air travel

Pakistan has closed its airspace for 48 hours following India’s airstrikes, halting all domestic and international flight operations at major airports, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Flights are being diverted, such as a Saudi Airlines flight originally bound for Islamabad rerouted to Karachi, and passengers have been advised to stay away from airports as the situation evolves.

A snapshot of airborne traffic over India and Pakistan as of 08:50 UTC. pic.twitter.com/XBp7jUFNDy

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) May 7, 2025

The crisis has triggered widespread disruption to regional and international air travel. Over 50 flights to and from Pakistan were canceled, while numerous Asian and European carriers, including KLM, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, and Thai Airways, have rerouted aircraft to avoid the conflict zone. India’s IndiGo canceled 165 flights, reporting the heaviest disruption among domestic carriers, as operational risks and rising geopolitical tensions ripple across South and Central Asia.

International Reactions: Calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement

The military escalation has prompted global concern, with leaders worldwide urging restraint to prevent further violence.

The United Nations has called for maximum military restraint from both sides. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation. “The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” the statement read, urging both nations to avoid further military action.

The United States expressed deep apprehension. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, called the situation “a shame” and voiced hope for a swift resolution. “They’ve been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also weighed in, confirming that the U.S. was closely monitoring the situation. “I echo @POTUS’s comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution,” Rubio posted on X.

.@POTUS reacts to India’s airstrikes into Pakistan: “We just heard about it as we were walking through the doors of the Oval… They’ve been fighting for a long time… I just hope it ends very quickly.” pic.twitter.com/HfrKm49tP8

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 6, 2025

China, traditionally aligned with Pakistan, also called for calm. “China expresses regret over India’s military actions and is concerned about the current developments. China opposes all forms of terrorism,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said. “We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritize peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation.”

France also weighed in, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urging both sides to de-escalate. “We understand India’s desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians,” he said.

Turkiye condemned India’s missile strikes on Pakistan, warning that such actions increase the risk of “all-out war.” In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on civilians and infrastructure, urging both parties to exercise restraint. It called for measures to reduce regional tensions and supported Pakistan’s demand for an investigation into the April 22 terrorist attack.

Germany called on India and Pakistan to avoid further escalation, saying “there is an urgent need for both countries to act responsibly.” The German Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “Escalation must be prevented and civilians must be protected,” adding that Berlin was monitoring the situation very closely.

Japan expressed concern over the situation’s potential to spiral into a full-scale war. “For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through dialogue,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) called for calm, emphasizing that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of resolving such crises. “His Highness reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises,” said UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Russia, maintaining strong relations with both countries, urged restraint from both sides while condemning terrorism in all forms. “We are deeply concerned about the escalation of military confrontation between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack near Pahalgam. We call on the parties involved to exercise restraint in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the region,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

Qatar also called for resolving the crisis through diplomacy and keeping communication channels open.