Pakistan Authorizes Military Response to Indian Attacks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply after Indian military strikes killed 26 people in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif authorized Pakistan’s military to take “corresponding actions,” vowing to defend national sovereignty. The conflict follows a deadly massacre in Kashmir that India blames on Pakistan.
India-Pakistan Escalation Quick Looks
- India launches military strikes after Kashmir massacre kills 24+.
- Pakistani PM Sharif authorizes military retaliation in self-defense.
- At least 26 civilians killed in Indian strikes, including children.
- Pakistan claims it downed five Indian jets and a drone.
- Global powers including U.S., China, and Russia urge restraint.
- Airspace closures, flight cancellations disrupt travel across South Asia.
- Qatari PM begins diplomatic outreach to prevent full-scale conflict.
- India conducts mass civil defense drills amid war fears.
Deep Look: Pakistan Authorizes Military Retaliation After Indian Strikes Escalate Conflict
Pakistan is preparing a military response after India carried out deadly cross-border airstrikes in retaliation for a massacre in Kashmir that killed more than two dozen civilians. The intensifying conflict, which has already led to the deaths of at least 26 people in Pakistan and injuries to over 40, is pushing the nuclear-armed rivals closer to a broader confrontation.
Following an emergency National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation.
“Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defense, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” the NSC stated. The prime minister formally authorized the country’s military to enact “corresponding actions.”
The Indian military launched the strikes under the banner of “Operation Sindoor,” targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. One of the victims was a 3-year-old girl, as confirmed by Pakistani officials.
Islamabad denied involvement in the Kashmir attack that prompted India’s military action. The April 22 massacre, which occurred in Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir, killed over 24 civilians, most of whom were tourists. Indian authorities immediately blamed Pakistan-backed militants, an allegation the Pakistani government has strongly refuted.
India’s operation has escalated long-standing hostilities between the two nations, both of which claim Kashmir in full but govern separate parts of it. The two countries have fought three wars over the disputed territory, and any large-scale military escalation in the region threatens to destabilize not just South Asia but broader international relations.
The fallout from the strikes has already begun. Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian fighter jets and a drone. India, in turn, reported eight casualties from Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control—the de facto border dividing Kashmir.
International Reaction and Warnings
Major global players have called for restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized India’s military actions, calling them “a shame,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both nations to maintain communication and avoid escalation.
The United Nations, European powers, Russia, China, and Turkey have all expressed serious concern over the strikes and potential for retaliatory violence. Japan warned that the conflict could spiral into full-scale war, while the UAE and Qatar pushed for immediate dialogue.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reached out to both sides, emphasizing Qatar’s support for peaceful negotiations. Qatar has successfully mediated several international conflicts and now seeks to play a stabilizing role in South Asia.
Airspace and Transportation Disruptions
The military operations have had immediate civilian impacts beyond casualties. Several Gulf airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, canceled flights to Pakistani cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Sialkot. Indian airspace closures in regions like Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar have further affected regional and international travel.
Indian airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo issued travel advisories as airports in northern India were shut down. International carriers rerouted dozens of flights to avoid Pakistani and northern Indian airspace, according to data from FlightRadar24.
Civil Defense Drills Amid Rising Tensions
Coinciding with the strikes, India began conducting large-scale civil defense drills across 244 locations nationwide. These exercises, planned before the strikes, involved evacuation simulations, sirens, and blackouts. Images from New Delhi showed students sheltering under desks and National Disaster Response Force teams conducting emergency procedures.
Digital Communication Restored in Pakistan
Amid the unfolding crisis, Pakistan restored access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which had been blocked since February 2024 during the country’s general elections. The move signals a shift toward greater public engagement and information dissemination during the conflict.
Looking Ahead: Diplomatic or Military Resolution?
With tensions running high and both militaries mobilized, the possibility of full-scale conflict remains a real and growing concern. Pakistan has framed India’s actions as “an act of war,” while India insists its operation was a defensive response to terrorism.
Whether the crisis ends in further retaliation or diplomatic de-escalation may depend on pressure from international allies and neutral states. For now, both countries appear poised for potential escalation, with citizens, governments, and global powers anxiously watching what unfolds next.
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