Chicago – May 08, 2025
Tensions between India and Pakistan are mounting following India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor” on Wednesday, which resulted in the deaths of at least 31 civilians.
The Indian operation was in retaliation for a militant assault in Indian-administered Kashmir that left over two dozen civilians dead. Pakistan has denied any involvement in that attack.
Here’s a summary of the situation as of Thursday morning:
- Drones shot down: Pakistan announced it had brought down 25 Indian loitering munition drones across its territory, citing a “serious provocation” from India that left four soldiers injured and one civilian dead.
- Indian jets destroyed: Pakistan’s foreign minister stated that the country’s military, using Chinese-made aircraft, shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three French Rafales, one MiG-29, and one Su-30.
- Strikes on Pakistani defenses: India confirmed it had targeted air defense installations at multiple locations within Pakistan on Thursday morning. This is the first official acknowledgment by India of such strikes on Pakistani military sites.
- Indian casualties: India’s Ministry of Defence reported that 16 civilians, including children, have been killed by Pakistani attacks since early Wednesday.
- Indian PM speaks: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first public comments on the rising conflict, urging for “continued alertness” and “clear communication.”
India announced that it carried out a military operation in the early hours of May 7, targeting areas in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Pakistani military reported strikes at multiple sites, and India’s defense ministry later confirmed the specific locations targeted during the operation.
