In an extraordinary military escalation, India has now expanded its “Operation Sindoor,” aiming to destroy what it calls “terrorist infrastructure” inside Pakistan. The operation is the furthest into Pakistani territory Indian forces have operated since the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. This announcement comes amidst increased tensions between the two countries. Near-daily gunfire exchanges across the Line of Control in Kashmir have, unfortunately, resulted in civilian deaths on both sides.
On Wednesday night, Pakistan announced that it would reopen its airspace. They too were the first to return to normal airport operations after an uptick in military action in the area. Then just like that, reopening airspace across Pakistan and India coincided with a dramatic, multi-day aerial engagement going on between Indian and Pakistani fighter jets. News outlets indicate that 125 fighter jets were involved in this air battle. The bracing confrontation continued for more than an hour, with neither side venturing into hostile lands.
Pakistan military officials claim that India’s strikes have killed a minimum of 31 civilians. The Pakistani federal government has denounced these acts of aggression, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promising a response of “decisive action.” Sharif has publicly directed the military to conduct “self-defense” operations and implement “corresponding counter-actions” to India’s fire. He further assured that Pakistan’s armed forces would only target military objectives in India with no harm caused to civilians.
The situation has escalated even more recently as both countries traded accusations of increasing tensions. As opposed to these allegations, Pakistan has alleged that India provides shelter and support to terrorist groups. It goes as far as narrowly identifying Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in its military operations. On the other hand, Pakistan has countered these charges and insisted that its military operations are purely defensive in nature.
In a shocking development to the nearly seven weeklong aerial skirmishes, Pakistan’s air force has now claimed a remarkable victory. They claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets in the latest clashes. Former and current top French intelligence officials support this assertion. In exchange, they claimed that Pakistan’s army air defense made its mark by downing Pakistan’s own Indian imported Rafale tiger fighter jet.
With both countries still on red alert, military leaders are thinking through the impacts of this re-escalation of hostilities. The both sides fire across the contested border has escalated since an April slaughter that left dozens dead. Given this history of conflict, it is clear how delicate peace remains in the region. It further heightens fears that rising tensions may branch out into a much broader conflict.
