May 7—The Indian armed forces carried out airstrike attacks in the early hours of May 7 (India time), targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir that it identified as terrorist infrastructure. The strikes included Muridke and Bahawalpur, strongholds of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, respectively, according to NDTV in its report, Operation Sindoor Live Updates: India Strikes 9 Terror Bases in Pakistan in Historic Tri-Services Operations. India stated that the missile strikes were a retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 terrorist attack that killed 26 Indian tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, for which India holds Pakistan responsible.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strike on X, calling it an "act of war" and declaring, "Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India, and a befitting reply is being given. The entire nation stands with the Pakistani forces, and the morale and spirit of our people remain high. … The enemy will never succeed in its nefarious objectives."

There are reports that Pakistan’s military has initiated shelling across the border with India. According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, Pakistan's armed forces spokesman stated that the military would respond at a time and place of its choosing, warning that the strikes "will not go unanswered." Pakistan also claims to have shot down two Indian military jets.

On May 7, the Pakistan Observer reported that Punjab's provincial government had ordered the closure of all public and private educational institutions for the day. Additionally, Pakistan has shut its airspace, leading to widespread flight cancellations.

Given that both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, the conflict presents extreme risks. Reports suggest India may be reducing the flow of water to Pakistan, in violation of treaty agreements—actions that Pakistan has strongly denounced.

The rising danger has prompted intensified diplomatic efforts within BRICS nations to prevent escalation in a region critical to Global South development. Sources indicate that Russia and China are actively working to mediate the crisis, emphasizing its impact on economic cooperation and infrastructure projects. Ironically, such initiatives—aimed at fostering development—could also help counter the deep-seated religious and ethnic divisions left behind by British colonial rule, which historically fueled tensions in India, Pakistan, and Kashmir.

Also in play are proxy terrorist organizations, whose origins reportedly trace back to British intelligence networks and which continue to stir conflicts targeting not only India and Pakistan, but also Russia and China.

Sources involved in peace efforts point to the religious extremism that has influenced India’s political landscape—particularly under the Modi government, which adheres to caste-based ideologies that historically dehumanized lower-class populations. Some argue that this perspective extends to Muslims in Pakistan, exacerbating the crisis. However, as one source noted, "This is a political third rail no one wants to touch. But without addressing it, finding a lasting solution remains difficult—if not impossible."