'‘Terror Conflict: Nuclear-Armed India and Pakistan Exchange Missile Strikes (Detailed Report)'

# India Launches Missile Strikes on Nine Locations in Pakistan, Including Disputed Kashmir Pakistan Retaliates with Counterstrikes and Airspace Closure; Escalation Concerns Rise Between Nuclear-Armed Nations (Jakarta/Seoul) — Tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have sharply escalated as they exchanged missile strikes following a deadly terror attack in the disputed Kashmir region. According to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters on the 7th, the Indian government initiated "Operation Sindhur" in the early hours, targeting nine locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian government clarified that no Pakistani military installations were among the intended targets. Pakistan swiftly retaliated, reporting that India had fired missiles at five locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province. The strikes resulted in three civilian deaths, including a child, and injured 14 others, according to Pakistani authorities. Pakistan immediately promised retaliation for India's military action, stating it would respond “at a time and place of its choosing.” Local media outlet Sama TV, citing unnamed sources, reported that Pakistan's military launched retaliatory missile strikes on Indian targets and claimed Pakistani forces had downed two Indian fighter jets. Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace for 48 hours, grounding all domestic and international flights. Islamabad International Airport halted operations entirely, redirecting flights to Karachi Airport in southern Pakistan. The international community is deeply concerned as both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers. Analysts fear the recent actions could lead to a broader conflict. # Root Causes of the Escalation The hostilities follow a shooting attack near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on February 22. The attack claimed the lives of 26 people and injured 17, mainly targeting tourists, intensifying tensions between the two nations. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, revoking visas for Pakistanis, banning imports of Pakistani goods, barring Pakistani ships from docking, and suspending postal exchanges between the countries. Pakistan, refuting these allegations, took retaliatory actions by banning Indian aircraft from its airspace, suspending trade, and canceling visas for Indian nationals. # Continued Border Skirmishes and Water Disputes In the days leading up to the missile exchange, both nations engaged in 10 consecutive days of skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC), the border between Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Further inflaming tensions, India announced the diversion of tributary waters flowing from the Indus River system into Pakistan. Pakistan condemned the move as an act of war and warned of the potential for nuclear retaliation. As tensions rise, global observers are urging restraint to prevent further deterioration of relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Analysts caution that even minor miscalculations could have severe implications for regional stability and global security.