In a significant escalation following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians lost their lives, India launched a series of precision missile strikes early Wednesday morning under ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The targets included well-known strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. The strikes were aimed at dismantling operational command centers, logistics hubs, and training camps used to orchestrate cross-border terrorism.
The Indian Defence Ministry issued a statement shortly after the operation, confirming the strikes and describing them as a targeted counter-terrorism action. “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” the statement read.
US and Israel Voice Support, Urge Calm
US President Donald Trump responded to the strikes by expressing hope that the situation would de-escalate swiftly. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “It’s a shame. I just hope it ends very quickly.” He acknowledged having been briefed just as news of the strikes broke, and refrained from making a definitive policy statement, emphasizing instead the importance of peace in the region.
In a more proactive move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate calls with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart, urging both nations to maintain open lines of communication and to avoid further escalation. “He urged both to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation,” the State Department said in a post on X.
Israel also came out strongly in support of India’s actions. Reuven Azar, Israel’s Ambassador to India, reaffirmed his country’s support for India’s right to self-defense. “Israel supports India’s right for self defense. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent,” Azar stated on social media, underscoring Israel’s longstanding solidarity with India on matters of national security and counter-terrorism.
Calls for Restraint from the UN and Gulf Nations
While some nations supported India’s decisive military action, others voiced concerns over potential regional instability. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “very concerned” about the rising tensions and urged both countries to exercise maximum military restraint. His spokesperson noted that Guterres is closely monitoring developments and is committed to facilitating dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors if requested.
The United Arab Emirates also echoed similar concerns. Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE, issued a statement calling for immediate de-escalation. “We urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and avoid further escalations,” read the statement from the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Gulf nation emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and regional stability.
Japan and Other Global Leaders Advocate Dialogue
Japan condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called upon both nations to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve underlying issues. In a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Tokyo emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions and underscored the dangers posed by escalating military conflict between two nuclear-armed states.
The Indian government has maintained that its actions were carefully calibrated to avoid civilian casualties and were solely directed at dismantling infrastructure responsible for facilitating terror attacks. As the situation remains tense, the international community continues to closely monitor developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to one of the subcontinent’s most volatile stand-offs in recent years.
