As confirmed by the Pakistan military, India fired air-to-surface missiles early on May 7 at least at six locations in Pakistan, including Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, Bahawalpur district in the country's eastern Punjab province, and Muzaffarabad.
Statistics showed at least 8 civilians, including a child, were killed, 35 others injured, and 2 missing in the attack by 3 a.m. local time.
The Pakistan Air Force has effectively responded to the Indian assault, shooting down six Indian fighter jets and three drones in its defense, in accordance with international laws and the UN charter.
A private security guard walks through rubble of a damaged building after a suspected Indian missile attack, in Muridke, a town in Pakistan's Punjab province (Photo: CFP)
Earlier, online footage capturing the missile strike showed a massive explosion, causing widespread panic among civilians. Many fled on motorcycles. Local authorities had reportedly advised residents to stockpile supplies ahead of the escalation.
Currently, Pakistan has closed its territorial airspace for 48 hours, and all major cities, including Islamabad, have declared a state of emergency.
Heightened tension behind the attack
The missile strike was deemed an escalation following a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April, an incident that caused tensions between India and Pakistan to reach a peak not seen in decades.
On April 22, several gunmen targeted a crowd of tourists, killing 26 civilians in what Indian officials described as the region's deadliest attack on civilians in 25 years. The Indian side claimed that seven militants, with four to five allegedly from Pakistan, carried out the assault. The attack was timed intentionally during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia.
The attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-based groups, prompted New Delhi to impose punitive measures, including suspending aspects of the Indus Water Treaty, closing border crossings, and tightening visa policies.
According to Professor Wan Xiaohong from the School of Politics and Public Administration at South China Normal University, New Delhi's immediate blame on Islamabad stems partly from domestic political motives. By framing Pakistan as the aggressor, Modi's government can rally nationalistic sentiment ahead of elections.
Policemen stand guard at the entrance road of Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on the outskirts of Amritsar on May 7, 2025. (Photo: CFP)
"The Modi government needs to deflect mounting domestic political pressures—a slowing economy, worsening social divisions, and rising unemployment," he explained. "By escalating border tensions, it aims to redirect public attention from domestic crises, project an image of decisive leadership, and consolidate political support."
This tactic mirrors its 2019 playbook, when constitutional measures stripping Indian-administered Kashmir of its autonomous status similarly served to temporarily alleviate domestic discontent, he added.
Pakistan has vehemently denied its involvement in the Kashmir attack, calling for an independent international investigation, but India swiftly rejected the proposal. Both nations exchanged tough rhetoric, vowing no concessions on security issues.
Attack under global scrutiny
The foreign office of Pakistan stated that the Indian Air Force targeted civilian areas in Pakistan using standoff weapons while remaining within Indian airspace, resulting in the deaths of civilians, including women and children.
Pakistani President Asif Zardari condemned the Indian strikes targeting civilian populations across the border and said that Pakistan would give a strong and befitting response to Indian aggression.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed "grave concern" over India's military actions in Pakistani territory, urging both sides to "exercise maximum restraint." He emphasized, "the world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan."
U.S. President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment, calling the conflict "disappointing" and urging a swift resolution, though he acknowledged how the dispute is deep-rooted in history.
Smoke billows after an artillery shell landed in the main town of Poonch district in India's Jammu region on May 7, 2025. (Photo: CFP)
While Pakistan claims to have shot down several Indian fighter jets, it has not yet launched a substantial counterattack. "Under pressure from the international community, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, India's military strikes are still quite restrained," Wan said.
New Delhi reported to Washington that its operations specifically targeted terrorist groups, avoiding attacks on Pakistani military installations or civilian infrastructure, and emphasized a "focused and measured approach" to prevent escalation.
"If India refrains from further raids, Pakistan is likely to maintain restraint, allowing tensions to gradually subside," he warned. "Otherwise, if India conducts additional strikes, Pakistan is surely expected to retaliate on a larger scale, risking a dangerous escalation of the conflict."
Uncertainties challenge peace-making solutions
With Pakistan pushing for third-party mediation and India doubling down on retaliation, prospects for dialogue remain dim. The UN and the West have emphasized accountability through legal means rather than military action.
However, New Delhi's refusal to permit external investigations leaves the crisis in deadlock. The resurgence of hostilities threatens to destabilize South Asia, a region already grappling with economic strain and climate challenges.
In Wan's opinion, resolving this impasse requires further mediation by China, the United States, and the broader international community, paving the way for negotiations between India and Pakistan. "Without such diplomatic engagement, prospects for de-escalation remain bleak," he said.
Author: Guo Zedong
Photo: CFP
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
