The military escalation between India and Pakistan is reaching a breaking point. The countries will have to decide very quickly if they will follow a ceasefire truce or dip into an all-out hot war.

The Indian military has launched a series of strikes against targets in Pakistan and the Pakistan-administered Kashmir region. These attacks were a response to a deadly terrorist assault in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir two weeks ago, the nation’s Defense Ministry has said. Pakistan has already branded the operation an act of “unprovoked aggression.” It has responded with shelling of its own, according to the Indian ministry. Islamabad also said that it reserves the right to respond to India’s actions as it deems appropriate.

Pakistan Warns Of Retaliation for Indian Attacks

Accoridng to a report by RT, the Indian strike killed at least 26 civilians and left 46 people injured, Pakistan’s military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told GeoTV that the Indian strikes hit civilian areas, including a mosque. Islamabad also branded the strike “unprovoked and illegal aggression.”

Russia has urged both sides to exercise restraint and called for de-escalation. Moscow expressed its hope that India and Pakistan would be able to resolve their differences “through peaceful political and diplomatic means,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that Russia also “decisively condemns all acts of terrorism.”

Indian Army Responds To “Unprovoked” Firing By Pakistan

The intense rise in tensions began over a week ago when Pakistan alleged that India was planning a “military strike.”

Pakistan Claims India Is Planning A “Military Strike”

The Indian strike was a response to a terrorist attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Kashmir two weeks ago, New Delhi said. A total of 26 people were killed in the incident, according to a report by RT. 

This rapidly escalating conflict has the potential to break out into a major military war. We will be watching closely, but hopefully, cooler heads will prevail.