At least 31 dead as tensions soar; UN calls for calm while both nations brace for more attacks

India carried out deadly airstrikes in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir early Wednesday, killing at least 31 people, including children. The strikes were in response to a recent attack that killed 26 Indian tourists in Kashmir. The Indian government blamed militant groups supported by Pakistan for the massacre.

The Indian military named the operation “Sindoor”, which means vermilion, a symbol of the red mark worn by married women in India. Officials said the name honors the widows whose husbands died in the Kashmir attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a special meeting of the Security Cabinet soon after reports of the strikes were confirmed. According to Indian defense sources, ten Indian citizens had died in the earlier massacre, prompting the retaliatory move.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly denied any link to the attacks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the airstrikes and warned that Pakistan would retaliate. That same morning, Pakistan’s top security officials met in an emergency session, and India’s top envoy in Islamabad was summoned for a formal protest.

Pakistan Responds, Downs Five Indian Jets

Within hours, Pakistan’s military said it had shot down five Indian fighter jets near the Line of Control. Military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif confirmed the strikes in a televised briefing.

Wreckage from the jets fell on both sides of the border. In Pakistan, debris hit schools, mosques, and residential areas. Fires broke out in the villages of Wuyan and Bhardha Kalan, and rescue workers were seen carrying injured pilots from the wreckage.

A third Indian aircraft crashed in Punjab, landing in a farm field and setting crops on fire. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, and the area was sealed off by the military.

India has not confirmed the number of downed jets but reported “several” aircraft involved in the operation.

Shelling and Civilian Deaths Continue

In Poonch district of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Pakistani shelling killed seven civilians and injured at least 30 more. Indian army officials said residential homes were hit, and families were forced to flee.

“The shelling came without warning,” said a local teacher. “We had to hide under beds with our children.”

Indian officials accused Pakistan of opening fire without provocation. Pakistani sources countered that the shelling was in response to Indian military activity. Both sides reported damage to homes, schools, and public buildings.

Heavy cross-border firing continued into the afternoon, especially near the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir.

UN Appeals for Calm, Warns of War

As violence escalated, the United Nations stepped in. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged both sides to remain calm. “The world cannot afford another war, especially between two nuclear-armed nations,” he said.

The call for peace came as civilians in both countries began to panic. In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, multiple blasts rocked the city. Residents fled into the streets after power went out in several areas.

“We feared the next missile would hit our roof,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a father of three.

In India, several states carried out civil defense drills, preparing for possible attacks. Schools closed in border areas, and hospitals stocked up on emergency supplies.

Targeted Strikes or Escalation?

India’s Defense Ministry said its strikes were aimed at “terror planning sites.” Officials stressed that the mission was “measured” and “non-escalatory.” The air force avoided Pakistani army facilities, focusing instead on areas linked to known militant groups.

Among the targets was a mosque in Bahawalpur, where 13 people were killed. Officials said the area was once tied to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a banned terror group.

Another strike hit a mosque in Muridke, a city known for hosting Lashkar-e-Taiba’s former headquarters. Indian intelligence believes the sites were still used to plan attacks, despite Pakistani claims to the contrary.

Pakistan said the airstrikes were reckless and killed innocent civilians. It insisted that the targeted locations no longer had any link to militants.

Militant Group Claims Kashmir Massacre

A group calling itself “Kashmir Resistance”, also known as The Resistance Front, claimed responsibility for the massacre of Indian tourists last month. The group is said to have ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India blames for past terror attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

India argues that Pakistan has done little to dismantle these groups. Pakistan insists it has cracked down on militancy in recent years and denies any involvement.

As both sides exchange fire and tough words, fears of a wider war are growing.

The situation remains tense, and any misstep could lead to greater conflict. With both nations holding nuclear weapons, global leaders are watching closely.

A Dangerous Standoff

India and Pakistan have fought several wars over Kashmir, but this latest round of violence feels especially dangerous. Civilian deaths are rising, and military actions are growing in intensity.

The UN and world powers must act fast to de-escalate the crisis. If left unchecked, this conflict could spiral out of control. For now, both sides remain on high alert.