India’s precision strikes in response to a deadly terror attack have triggered Pakistan’s military buildup and harsh rhetoric, igniting fears of another Kargil-scale conflict.
BY PC Bureau
May 10, 2025: Tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan are nearing a dangerous precipice. On the heels of India’s retaliatory strikes for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians—mostly tourists—Pakistan has begun massing tanks, artillery, and troops along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, prompting fears of full-scale war.
India’s Ministry of Defence, during a joint press briefing with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, stated that Pakistan’s aggressive troop mobilization aims to escalate the situation. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi affirmed that the Indian armed forces remain in a “high state of operational readiness” and have responded proportionately to all hostile Pakistani actions so far.
The escalation follows India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes on suspected terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These strikes were in direct response to the Pahalgam massacre, which India attributes to Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan denies the allegations, accusing India of using the attack as a pretext for military aggression.
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Pakistan’s Military Build-Up Sparks Alarm
Pakistan began mobilizing its forces late last month, with movements reported near Narowal, Sialkot, and Paragwal. Intelligence suggests that radar and electronic warfare units have been repositioned, and troops are being deployed in civilian areas—raising concerns over human shields. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir have threatened a “full-force response,” branding India’s actions as an “act of war.”
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Following cross-border skirmishes that began on April 24, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine locations, including alleged terror camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Pakistan claims 31 civilian deaths, including children, and accuses India of hitting mosques and public infrastructure. India maintains that only terrorist facilities were targeted.
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Civilian Toll Mounts as Conflict Escalates
On both sides of the border, civilians are bearing the brunt. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab, local authorities report 31 deaths and 57 injuries due to Indian shelling and airstrikes. In Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistani shelling in Poonch and Tangdhar has killed at least 15 civilians and injured 43 more. Thousands have fled to shelters, schools have shut down, and civilian flights at 32 airports—including Srinagar and Amritsar—have been suspended until May 15.
The violence has expanded beyond the LoC. Pakistan has launched drones and missiles targeting military and civilian sites in Jammu, Amritsar, and Ferozepur. India’s air defense, including the S-400 system, has intercepted many threats. Pakistan claims to have downed Indian drones and even a Rafale jet, though New Delhi has not confirmed this.
India’s Hardline Response and International Alarm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has adopted a firm stance. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and warned that any further provocation from Pakistan will be met with decisive action. India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, shut the Attari-Wagah border, and expelled Pakistani diplomats—moves that Islamabad has reciprocated.
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The global community is increasingly concerned. The UN, US, China, and G7 nations have urged “maximum restraint” and direct dialogue, warning that conflict between two nuclear powers could destabilize the entire region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has engaged both sides, while Gulf nations and Iran have offered to mediate. Still, experts caution that rising nationalism and domestic political pressures could complicate de-escalation.
The crisis—India’s most serious with Pakistan since the 1999 Kargil conflict—has upended daily life across South Asia. India’s stock market has lost over $80 billion in value. Pakistan’s closure of its airspace has forced airlines to reroute global flights. Cultural events like the IPL and PSL have been suspended. In border states, civilians are stockpiling essentials and undergoing regular civil defense drills.
“The pressure for retaliation is intense, but so is the risk of accidental escalation,” warned Chietigj Bajpaee, a South Asia analyst at Chatham House. As both sides trade accusations of targeting civilians and continue troop mobilizations, the prospect of peace remains distant. For now, civilians on both sides of the border are left to endure the consequences of a crisis spiraling beyond control.
