In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7, 2025, India launched a series of attacks against Pakistan which, according to CNN, killed at least 26 and injured at least 46 more. The attack was prompted by an apparent attack on Indian tourists in India-controlled Kashmir that occurred on April 22, 2025, and left 26 dead. According to BBC, in a statement following the May 7 strikes, the Indian Defense Ministry explained that the attack was intended to hold the powers who committed the massacre on India-controlled Kashmir “accountable.” Pakistan, however, denied any involvement in the attack, and stated that they would be launching a retaliation.
India and Pakistan have an extensive history of conflict. The dispute began in 1947, when the two countries both gained their independence from Great Britain. Ever since, the two have been in disagreement over control over the territory of Kashmir. The Guardian states that both countries claim total control over Kashmir, however, they both own only a portion of the territory. India is a country with a majority Hindu population. Despite this, the country presides over an area in Kashmir with a largely Muslim population, and as a result, rebels have fought for years for the territory to be united under Pakistan rule, backed by the Muslim Kashmir citizens. There were a number of different wars throughout the 1900s that broke out between India and Pakistan over Kashmir over this conflict.
Over 70 years after its conception, this conflict still haunts the relations between India and Pakistan. The combat that resulted from the attacks on May 7 was the most intense fighting the region had seen in decades. There were missiles launched and fighter jets shot down by both sides, hitting numerous respective military bases and locations. As stated by AP News, India’s military claimed that Pakistan had targeted schools and medical centers in their attacks. Pakistan denied these claims.
Since India and Pakistan are each armed with at least 170 nuclear weapons, the tensions between the two nations have sparked concerned conversation about possible nuclear war around the world. According to the BBC, Pakistan has no official nuclear doctrine, and India generally has a no first use policy when it comes to nuclear warheads. While a nuclear escalation is not impossible, it seems to be unlikely.
The fighting was suddenly brought to an end as on Saturday, May 10, India and Pakistan agreed to a United States mediated ceasefire. The ceasefire was announced by President Trump on his Truthsocial, who later claimed some level of credit for the deal. Trump was not present at any ceasefire negotiations, however, prompting a response from India.
Tensions remained, and according to AP News, there were several more explosions that occurred just hours after the deal was signed. Accusations of breaking the agreement flew between the two countries, each denying the other’s claim. It is currently unclear which, if any, of these accusations are true. Despite the claims, there have been no incidents of note since the treaty was signed on Saturday.
