India Strikes Terror Camps in Pakistan, Sharif Vows Retaliation
| 2025-05-08
Sharif accused India of violating Pakistan’s sovereignty through its military strikes.
Indian military targets nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor’; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledges a strong response.
India Launches Precision Strikes on Terror Camps, Pakistan Pledges to Retaliate
India has carried out a series of high-precision military strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, prompting a vow of retaliation from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Indian offensive, referred to as ‘Operation Sindoor’, was conducted in the early hours of 7 May and targeted key installations allegedly linked to militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Indian government claimed that the strikes were a response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 Indian civilians dead.
According to Indian authorities, the operation, lasting around 25 minutes, aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure without provoking direct military escalation. No Pakistani military assets were reportedly targeted during the assault.
Targets and Impact
Among the locations hit were major camps in Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot, including facilities believed to be operated by LeT and JeM. Indian officials stated that at least 26 people were killed in the strikes, though Pakistani officials have contested these figures, claiming instead that 31 civilians were killed, including a young child, and dozens more injured.
Following the operation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefed his cabinet, framing the strikes as a critical moment in India’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. The government’s position has received backing from multiple political parties, reinforcing the cross-party consensus on national security.
Pakistan’s Response
In an address to the nation on Wednesday night, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “unprovoked act of war” and pledged that Pakistan would respond at “a time, place, and manner of its choosing.”
“Pakistan will take revenge. We will take this war to the end,” said Sharif in his televised speech, in which he described the Indian strikes as unlawful and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. He further claimed that Pakistani forces had responded effectively during the incident and alleged the downing of five Indian fighter jets—a claim not confirmed by independent sources.
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, describing the region as a “disputed territory” and asserting that no unilateral decision by India could alter that status.
Following the strikes, Pakistan convened a meeting of its National Security Council, which included senior military officials, provincial leaders, and cabinet ministers. The council authorised the military to prepare for a retaliatory response and issued a statement referencing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which permits self-defence in the event of an armed attack.
Airspace Closed Temporarily
In the immediate aftermath of the Indian strikes, Pakistan closed its airspace to all commercial and civilian aircraft for 48 hours. However, the closure was lifted after approximately eight hours, with aviation authorities citing security clearance.
Pakistan also summoned an Indian diplomat to formally protest what it called an “unlawful act of aggression”. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar warned that India should not underestimate Pakistan’s military preparedness or resolve.
Escalating Tensions
The missile and drone strikes mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The current crisis was triggered by the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed. While a group affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility, Pakistan has denied any involvement and rejected India’s accusations of harbouring terrorist groups.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to international media, warned that India’s actions could “expand the conflict” but stated that Islamabad was trying to avoid a full-scale war. “We cannot be caught with our guards down,” Asif told CNN.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan’s armed forces, accused India of killing civilians and insisted that “any condemnation is not enough.” Pakistani military sources claimed that dozens of Indian aircraft participated in the operation and stressed that Pakistan had responded in accordance with its defensive capabilities.
Context and Wider Implications
India and Pakistan have a history of military confrontations, especially over Kashmir, a region claimed in full by both countries but administered in parts. Past incidents, such as the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, have led to similar cross-border strikes and heightened diplomatic strain.
India has consistently accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to militant groups that conduct attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir and other parts of the country. Pakistan denies these allegations, asserting that it too is a victim of terrorism and maintains a strong stance against extremist groups.
Analysts suggest that while both countries have demonstrated military readiness, there remains a concerted effort to avoid wider conflict. The precision and short duration of India’s Operation Sindoor—along with its reported exclusion of Pakistani military targets—indicate a strategic attempt to limit escalation.
However, with both sides exchanging strong rhetoric and claiming conflicting narratives, the situation remains highly volatile.
As of now, no international mediation has been announced, although calls for restraint are expected from global powers concerned about regional stability in South Asia.
India has carried out a series of high-precision military strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, prompting a vow of retaliation from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Indian offensive, referred to as ‘Operation Sindoor’, was conducted in the early hours of 7 May and targeted key installations allegedly linked to militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Indian government claimed that the strikes were a response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 Indian civilians dead.
According to Indian authorities, the operation, lasting around 25 minutes, aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure without provoking direct military escalation. No Pakistani military assets were reportedly targeted during the assault.
Targets and Impact
Among the locations hit were major camps in Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot, including facilities believed to be operated by LeT and JeM. Indian officials stated that at least 26 people were killed in the strikes, though Pakistani officials have contested these figures, claiming instead that 31 civilians were killed, including a young child, and dozens more injured.
Following the operation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefed his cabinet, framing the strikes as a critical moment in India’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. The government’s position has received backing from multiple political parties, reinforcing the cross-party consensus on national security.
Pakistan’s Response
In an address to the nation on Wednesday night, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “unprovoked act of war” and pledged that Pakistan would respond at “a time, place, and manner of its choosing.”
“Pakistan will take revenge. We will take this war to the end,” said Sharif in his televised speech, in which he described the Indian strikes as unlawful and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. He further claimed that Pakistani forces had responded effectively during the incident and alleged the downing of five Indian fighter jets—a claim not confirmed by independent sources.
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, describing the region as a “disputed territory” and asserting that no unilateral decision by India could alter that status.
Following the strikes, Pakistan convened a meeting of its National Security Council, which included senior military officials, provincial leaders, and cabinet ministers. The council authorised the military to prepare for a retaliatory response and issued a statement referencing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which permits self-defence in the event of an armed attack.
Airspace Closed Temporarily
In the immediate aftermath of the Indian strikes, Pakistan closed its airspace to all commercial and civilian aircraft for 48 hours. However, the closure was lifted after approximately eight hours, with aviation authorities citing security clearance.
Pakistan also summoned an Indian diplomat to formally protest what it called an “unlawful act of aggression”. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar warned that India should not underestimate Pakistan’s military preparedness or resolve.
Escalating Tensions
The missile and drone strikes mark a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The current crisis was triggered by the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed. While a group affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility, Pakistan has denied any involvement and rejected India’s accusations of harbouring terrorist groups.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to international media, warned that India’s actions could “expand the conflict” but stated that Islamabad was trying to avoid a full-scale war. “We cannot be caught with our guards down,” Asif told CNN.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for Pakistan’s armed forces, accused India of killing civilians and insisted that “any condemnation is not enough.” Pakistani military sources claimed that dozens of Indian aircraft participated in the operation and stressed that Pakistan had responded in accordance with its defensive capabilities.
Context and Wider Implications
India and Pakistan have a history of military confrontations, especially over Kashmir, a region claimed in full by both countries but administered in parts. Past incidents, such as the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, have led to similar cross-border strikes and heightened diplomatic strain.
India has consistently accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to militant groups that conduct attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir and other parts of the country. Pakistan denies these allegations, asserting that it too is a victim of terrorism and maintains a strong stance against extremist groups.
Analysts suggest that while both countries have demonstrated military readiness, there remains a concerted effort to avoid wider conflict. The precision and short duration of India’s Operation Sindoor—along with its reported exclusion of Pakistani military targets—indicate a strategic attempt to limit escalation.
However, with both sides exchanging strong rhetoric and claiming conflicting narratives, the situation remains highly volatile.
As of now, no international mediation has been announced, although calls for restraint are expected from global powers concerned about regional stability in South Asia.
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