Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has vowed to take action following a missile strike by India that resulted in significant civilian casualties. In a speech broadcasted on state television, Sharif condemned the attack, which occurred in Punjab province and areas of Kashmir administered by Pakistan, leading to at least 31 deaths and 46 injuries.
Sharif stated that India would "now have to pay the price" for what he described as a "blatant mistake." He emphasized the resilience of the Pakistani people, suggesting that India underestimated their determination. The Indian government, however, claimed that their military operations targeted sites linked to terrorist activities, asserting that no civilians were harmed in the strikes.
The conflict escalated after a terrorist attack on April 22, where gunmen killed 26 people near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. India justified its military response, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," as a preemptive measure to prevent further attacks.
Pakistan’s military has disputed India’s claims, stating that the targeted locations were not militant camps. They reported ongoing exchanges of fire along the Line of Control, the de facto border between the two nations in Kashmir. Additionally, Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian aircraft during the confrontations.
In response to the rising tensions, international figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have called for restraint from both sides. Trump expressed a desire for India and Pakistan to resolve their differences peacefully, while Guterres urged both nations to avoid further escalation.
The situation remains critical, with the UK’s Foreign Office advising against travel near the India-Pakistan border and warning against visiting specific regions in Jammu and Kashmir. The ongoing conflict highlights the long-standing and complex relationship between India and Pakistan, particularly over the disputed Kashmir region, which both countries claim in full but control in part.