‎India-Pakistan conflict escalates after Kashmir massacre: Missiles, retaliation, and rising civilian fears

‎The fragile peace between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan has shattered once again, with fresh military strikes intensifying fears of an uncontrollable regional conflict.

‎

‎India-Pakistan tensions erupt after Kashmir massacre, with missile strikes, retaliation, and rising fears of full-scale conflict.

‎AP

‎

‎The latest escalation was triggered by a deadly attack last month on tourists in the scenic Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. In retaliation, India launched a sweeping military operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, striking what it claimed were "terrorist infrastructures" in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

‎

‎On Saturday, Pakistan’s military accused India of launching missiles at strategic military sites, including Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad, a facility frequently used by high-ranking officials and foreign dignitaries. Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that most of the missiles and drones had been intercepted, though several areas were affected by the attempted strikes.

‎

‎“India hit Nur Khan, Shorkot, and Murid air bases. Our defenses intercepted the majority. India also fired into Afghan territory,” Chaudhry stated during a nationally televised address.

‎

‎Pakistan claimed it shot down five Indian fighter jets during the hostilities. India, while acknowledging that Operation Sindoor remains active, has yet to confirm any such losses, stating it will disclose information “when appropriate.”

‎

‎Civilians in the disputed Kashmir region are once again bearing the brunt of the violence.

‎

‎In Khuiratta, a city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Dr. Zeshan Daoud described waking to the sound of thunderous shelling early Wednesday.

‎

‎“We assumed the shelling was confined to the mountains, but this time it felt systematic,” Daoud said. “Our home shook violently. Women and children were in a state of terror.”

‎

‎He detailed three consecutive days of bombardment, during which his family, including children as young as five, were trapped without electricity or safe shelter.

‎

‎“We are ordinary civilians… Caught in the middle of something we did not choose,” Daoud told CNN. “We are not just numbers or headlines. We are human beings, and we deserve safety, dignity, and a future free from fear.”

‎

‎India and Pakistan, both of whom claim Kashmir in full but control parts of it, have fought three wars over the region. With international calls for restraint mounting, both sides remain locked in a dangerous tit-for-tat exchange — threatening not just regional stability but the fragile lives of millions along the border.

‎

‎The world now watches, hoping this flare-up does not spiral into a broader conflict — one both nations, and the global community, can scarcely afford.