Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th May 2025, 2:06 AM
India and Pakistan find themselves on the brink of a broader conflict following India’s strikes on both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes, which India claims targeted ‘terrorist infrastructure’, were launched in response to a massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
| Key Developments | Details |
|---|---|
| Death Toll | Pakistan’s military reports 31 fatalities from the Indian strikes. Meanwhile, Indian defence sources state that shelling by Pakistan killed at least 12 people on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC). |
| Retaliatory Pledge | Pakistan’s Prime Minister has described the attack as ‘an act of war’ and vowed to avenge the deaths. He also claimed that Pakistani fighter jets destroyed Indian aircraft in an hour-long air battle. |
| Background on Kashmir Dispute | The region of Kashmir, claimed in full by both Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, has been the focus of three wars since the two countries gained independence in 1947. |
Pakistan Will Limit Strikes to Military Targets
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has stated that any retaliatory action will be limited to military targets within India, avoiding civilian areas. Speaking on Geo News, he said, “We will never target civilians. We will abide by international law and contain this confrontation to military objectives only.”
Indian Strikes Endangered Thousands of Air Passengers, Pakistan Military Claims
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, claimed that India’s strikes endangered thousands of air passengers, as 57 flights were in Pakistani airspace at the time of the attack. Chaudhry presented flight tracking data showing diversions shortly after the strikes began, supporting his statement that the lives of many were put at risk.
US President Offers to Mediate
US President Donald Trump has offered to assist in de-escalating the conflict. Speaking from the Oval Office, he remarked, “My position is I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out… if I can do anything to help, I will.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reportedly spoke to the national security advisers of both countries, encouraging open communication and restraint.
India Urges International Pressure on Pakistan
An Indian government source has indicated that India is urging the United States and other allies to press Pakistan to cease its alleged support for terrorism. The source stated that India’s strikes targeted ‘terrorist infrastructure’ and were a measured response to the recent Kashmir massacre, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan – a claim Islamabad denies.
Air Battle and Casualties
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that Pakistan shot down multiple Indian jets, including elite Rafale fighters, during an intense air battle. Indian officials have yet to confirm these claims. According to the Pakistan military, the death toll from Indian strikes has risen to 31, with 57 injured.
| Incident | Details |
| Air Battle | Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafales, in an hour-long engagement. |
| Funeral of Military Casualties | Senior Pakistani officials attended the funeral of the son of a Pakistani army colonel killed in the strikes, further highlighting the human cost of the ongoing conflict. |
French Investigation into Rafale Losses
A senior French intelligence official has reportedly confirmed the loss of a Rafale fighter jet, marking the first such incident involving the advanced warplane. French authorities are currently investigating the possibility that additional jets may have been lost in the skirmishes.
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