India attacked Pakistan and Kashmir late yesterday, Tuesday, May 6. The government in New Delhi confirmed that it had hit "nine Pakistani terrorist sites," some of which were linked to the attack by Islamic militants on tourists that killed several people in Kashmir on April 22. Power and hydroelectric plants were also under attack.
“Recently, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan from where terrorist attacks against India were being organised and directed ,” the Indian government said in a brief statement.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said India had carried out "cowardly" attacks in five locations in Islamabad-administered territory. " We have every right to respond with force to this act of war imposed by India ," he said, stressing that the victims were all civilians and that no military or terrorist infrastructure was hit.
Islamabad's army responded with artillery fire along the Line of Control, the disputed border with Kashmir. Dozens of victims, mostly Pakistanis.
Meanwhile, calls for moderation are multiplying. "The world cannot afford a military clash between India and Pakistan," said the spokesperson for the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres .
"Shameful situation, I hope it ends soon," said Donald Trump instead. "Defuse the crisis," is the appeal of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio .
China also says it is "concerned", calls on India and Pakistan to "moderate" and says it is "ready to play a role in easing tensions".
India and Pakistan have fought two wars since 1947 for control of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority territory that both sides claim in full. The last ceasefire dates back to 2003 and was renewed in 2021. This is the most serious crisis in the last twenty years, with several analysts underlining the risks of an escalation .
(Unioneonline/L)