India and Pakistan’s escalating conflicts: here's what we know

By Anagha Singh

Recently, tensions have sharply escalated along the contentious border shared by India and Pakistan, two nations possessing nuclear arsenals. The two countries share a long and complex history of conflict, rooted in the 1947 Partition of British India. During this partition, a Muslim-majority population chose to separate from India, forming the new nation of Pakistan.

One of the most contentious issues between the two nations has been the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This region, with a Muslim majority but ruled by the Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh, was given the choice to join either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. Maharaja Hari Singh initially sought independence, but following an invasion by Pakistani tribal militias, he acceded to India, sparking the First Indo-Pakistani War from 1947 to 1948. The war ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire in 1949, which established the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir into Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered regions.

Over the decades, the two countries have fought several wars, often triggered by militant and terrorist activities, many of which India attributes to Pakistan’s support. This ongoing conflict has resulted in countless casualties and deep-seated animosity. Yet, despite numerous attempts at peace, tensions have repeatedly flared, and in 2025, the situation escalated once again.

The most recent conflict began on April 22, 2025, when a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, killed 26 civilians, including 25 Hindu men, many of whom were newlyweds, and one Muslim man who tried to intervene and save the lives at stake. Many of the victims were tourists enjoying their honeymoons or sightseeing, unaware of the tragic events that would unfold that gloomy afternoon. India claimed that Pakistan orchestrated the attack, citing intelligence reports and previous public admissions by Pakistan’s defense minister and politicians that the government was funding terrorism. While India holds Pakistan responsible for the attack, Pakistan denies these claims and says its nation is committed to peace.

In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 6, 2025, targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” is derived from a traditional red powder used in Hindu rituals symbolizing strength, power, and resolve, reflecting India’s determination to strike decisively against terrorism without targeting Pakistani military installations. India claimed that the strikes hit terrorist groups responsible for the Pahalgam attack, specifically Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Pakistan denied that militant infrastructure was struck and reported civilian casualties resulting from the Indian strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan al-Marsus” on May 10, striking multiple Indian cities with missiles and drones. The name of the operation is symbolically derived from the Quran, and this marked the first time drone warfare was exchanged between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Both sides suffered casualties, including civilians, and thousands of residents near the Kashmir frontier were evacuated amid escalating violence.

When comparing military capabilities, India is ranked among the top five military powers globally, boasting a larger and more technologically advanced force. Pakistan, ranked ninth, maintains a smaller but agile military focused on defense and covert operations. The fact that both nations possess nuclear weapons adds a dangerous dimension to the conflict, with experts warning that a high-casualty terrorist attack could escalate into nuclear warfare. However, it is more likely that India will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, as it has signed a no-first-use nuclear doctrine, committing not to use nuclear weapons unless first attacked by nuclear weapons. Pakistan, on the other hand, does not have a formal no-first-use policy and has threatened the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons if facing imminent conventional defeat, which would likely be met with India’s strategic nuclear retaliation.

After days of intense fighting, including missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border skirmishes, the two countries agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire on May 10, 2025. The ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and was set to take effect at 1700 Indian Standard Time. Both India and Pakistan agreed to halt all land, air, and sea hostilities, with further talks scheduled to ease tensions.

However, reports of ceasefire violations emerged shortly after, including explosions and firing in Kashmir, India, raising concerns about the ceasefire’s durability.

Historically, ceasefires such as the 1949 Karachi Agreement and the 1972 Simla Agreement-which renamed the ceasefire line as the Line of Control-have been fragile, with frequent violations by Pakistan and retaliation by India. The 2025 ceasefire represents a critical but tentative step toward de-escalation, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. The disputed status of Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, and political mistrust continue to fuel tensions.

The India-Pakistan conflict remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. The risk of escalation into a broader war or even nuclear confrontation has prompted urgent international mediation and calls for restraint. While the short-lasting ceasefire offered temporary relief, lasting peace will require addressing the root causes of the conflict through dialogue and mutual understanding.

War is never a positive outcome. It costs millions of lives and sets back progress for both nations. Whatever unfolds next, you will be the first to know, only at the RCHK Truth.