India vs Pakistan: Is War About to Begin? š®š³āļøšµš°
May 2025 has seen tensions rise to dangerous levels between two nuclear-armed neighbors. Is South Asia on the edge of war?
The Event: The Pahalgam Attack 26 Indian civilians, including children and elderly pilgrims, were killed in a suicide bombing on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. It was one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region in years.
India immediately blamed the attack on The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based terror group believed to be linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence reports and intercepted communications pointed toward cross-border involvement. Pakistan, on the other hand, denied the claims and demanded "evidence-based cooperation." But for India, it was dĆ©jĆ vu. The public outcry was fierce, and political pressure mounted.
Indian Retaliation: Operation Sindhur On May 7, 2025, India launched "Operation Sindhur" ā a coordinated airstrike targeting suspected TRF camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and inside Pakistanās Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Multiple training centers and arsenals were said to have been hit by the strikes. India claimed the operation was āa preemptive counter-terror strikeā designed to prevent further attacks. Sources close to the government say that at least 12 high-value militants were killed. However, Pakistan reported the deaths of 31 people ā including civilians ā and accused India of violating its sovereignty.
Warning shots and retaliation are Pakistan's response. Within 48 hours, Pakistan retaliated. In Jammu & Kashmir, the Pakistan Air Force tried to strike near Indian military installations. Although intercepted by Indian air defense systems, skirmishes broke out along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in deaths on both sides.
Pakistani Prime Minister Rana Farooq called the Indian airstrike "an act of aggression tantamount to war," and convened a joint session of Parliament. He declared: āWe will respond at a time and place of our choosing. Our silence should not be mistaken for weakness.ā
āIndia will not be the first to provoke, but will never hesitate to protect her people.ā
š Breaking Diplomatic Ties
In a matter of days, the already strained diplomatic relationship shattered further:
India withdrew its high commissioner from Islamabad.
Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats.
Both countries suspended bilateral talks.
India announced a review of the Indus Waters Treaty, threatening to divert shared river flows.
Airspace restrictions were reintroduced, halting civilian flights between the two countries. Visa services were frozen. Media in both nations began echoing hardline nationalist narratives.
š£ Military Mobilization & Nuclear Posturing
By early May, satellite imagery revealed troop movements near the Rajasthan and Punjab borders. India activated forward airbases and moved surface-to-air missile systems closer to the LoC. Pakistan reportedly deployed additional brigades to sensitive sectors, particularly Sialkot and Muzaffarabad.
This military posturing is dangerously reminiscent of the 2001ā2002 standoff following the Indian Parliament attack ā except now, both nations possess more advanced weapons and first-strike capable ballistic missile systems.
Although India maintains a āNo First Useā nuclear doctrine, Pakistan does not. According to its official position, "conventional attacks that threaten its existence" may necessitate the use of tactical nuclear weapons. This uncertainty keeps global security analysts on edge.
š Global Reaction: Calls for Restraint
The international response was swift:
The United States of America offered to mediate and demanded immediate de-escalation. China, traditionally an ally of Pakistan but with growing economic ties to India, urged both sides to "avoid strategic miscalculations."
Russia and the EU condemned the terror attack but warned against unilateral military action.
The United Nations Secretary-General offered to send a special envoy to both capitals.
Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with deep business interests in both India and Pakistan, initiated quiet backchannel diplomacy.
Meanwhile, markets reacted nervously. The Sensex dropped 2.7%, and the Pakistani Rupee weakened further. In response to concerns about regional instability, oil prices briefly rose. š¤ Is War Really Likely?
While the situation is undeniably serious, full-scale war remains unlikely ā for now. Hereās why:
Mutual Economic Pain
War would devastate both economies. India is aiming to become a $5 trillion economy by 2030; Pakistan is battling inflation and external debt. Neither can afford a prolonged conflict.
Nuclear Deterrence
The risk of nuclear escalation acts as a deterrent. Decision-makers on both sides are aware that even a limited nuclear exchange would be catastrophic.
Worldwide Pressure With powerful nations involved economically and diplomatically in South Asia, there's significant international leverage being applied behind the scenes to de-escalate.
Public Appetite for War Is Low
Despite loud calls from social media and nationalist factions, a large section of civil society in both countries supports peace and dialogue.
However, the risk of limited conflict ā like the 1999 Kargil War or 2019 Balakot airstrikes ā remains high. If another attack occurs, or if current skirmishes intensify, escalation might become unavoidable.
šļø Whatās the Way Forward?
If both countries are serious about avoiding war, the following steps are essential:
Restart Diplomatic Channels: Even backchannel or third-party talks can prevent miscalculation.
Joint Counterterrorism Mechanisms: Terror groups thrive when governments don't coordinate. Intelligence-sharing can save lives.
Media Responsibility: Avoid war-mongering and misinformation. Truth matters more than ratings.
Public Dialogue & Cultural Exchange: Artists, students, and thought leaders can humanize "the other side" and reduce hatred.
Water and Trade Diplomacy: Cooperative agreements over rivers, energy, and trade could lower hostility long-term.
š§ Final Thoughts
As of now, India and Pakistan are standing at the edge of a cliff. They could be pushed over by one wrong move, such as another attack, a military maneuver that was misinterpreted, or inflammatory political rhetoric. Itās not too late to turn back.
Peace isnāt weakness. It's wisdom.
About the Creator
H M Sakib
Writing to inspire, challenge, and tell stories that matter. From politics to personal journeys, my words aim to connect and provoke thought. Proud contributor on Vocal Media. Words are my power.
Benjamin Franklin: The Mind That Helped Build a Nation
Benjamin Franklin was not born into greatness; he built it piece by piece with curiosity, discipline, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children in a modest household. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soap, honest work but not the kind that promised wealth or status. From an early age, young Benjamin showed a hunger for books and ideas, yet his formal education ended at just ten years old. What he lacked in schooling, he made up for with relentless self-educationāa habit that would shape his entire life. Apprentice to a Printer At twelve, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, a printer. The print shop became Benjaminās classroom. He read everything he could get his hands onāessays, pamphlets, newspapersāand taught himself to write by carefully studying the styles of great authors. James published The New-England Courant, one of the coloniesā earliest newspapers, and Benjamin longed to contribute. Because his brother would not take him seriously, Franklin wrote letters under the pseudonym āSilence Dogood,ā pretending to be a witty widow. The letters were published and widely admired. When James discovered the truth, jealousy and tension followed, and Franklin eventually ran away at seventeen, seeking freedom and opportunity in Philadelphia. Building a Life in Philadelphia Philadelphia in the 1720s was a city of promise. Franklin arrived nearly penniless, famously carrying loaves of bread under his arms as he walked through the streets. Yet he possessed something more valuable than money: determination. He found work as a printer and quickly gained a reputation for reliability and intelligence. Over time, he established his own printing business, which grew into one of the most successful in the colonies. Franklin also became a public figure through Poor Richardās Almanack, published annually from 1732 to 1758. Under the name āRichard Saunders,ā Franklin offered weather forecasts, jokes, and practical wisdom. Sayings like āEarly to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wiseā reflected his belief in hard work and common sense. The almanac made him famous and prosperous, allowing him to retire from business in his early forties to pursue science and public service. A Scientist of Everyday Wonders Franklinās scientific curiosity was legendary. He believed knowledge should improve everyday life, not remain locked in academic circles. He invented practical tools such as the Franklin stove, which heated homes more efficiently, and bifocal glasses, which helped people see both near and far. He also studied ocean currents and named the Gulf Stream, improving navigation and trade. His most famous scientific experiment involved electricity. In 1752, Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm, demonstrating that lightning was a form of electricity. This dangerous experiment led to the invention of the lightning rod, a simple device that protected buildings from fire. Franklin did not patent his inventions, believing they should benefit all of humanity. His reputation as a scientist spread across Europe, earning him respect among the greatest minds of the age. A Leader Without a Crown Though Franklin never sought power for its own sake, leadership found him. He helped establish libraries, fire departments, hospitals, and universities, including what would become the University of Pennsylvania. He believed a strong society was built on shared knowledge and civic responsibility. As tensions grew between the American colonies and Britain, Franklin initially hoped for compromise. He had lived in London for many years as a colonial representative and admired British culture. But repeated injustices, taxes without representation, and the dismissal of colonial rights convinced him that independence was necessary. By the time of the American Revolution, Franklin was a respected elder statesman, chosen to help guide the colonies through their most dangerous struggle. Diplomat of the Revolution Perhaps Franklinās greatest contribution came not on the battlefield, but in diplomacy. Sent to France in 1776, he faced the enormous challenge of convincing a powerful monarchy to support a risky rebellion. Franklinās charm, wit, and reputation worked wonders. He dressed simply, spoke humbly, and became a symbol of the New Worldās values. French philosophers admired him; common people celebrated him. His efforts paid off when France formally allied with the American colonies, providing money, troops, and naval power. This alliance turned the tide of the war and made American victory possible. Without Franklinās diplomacy, the Revolution might have failed. 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He left behind no single title that defined himāhe was not just a scientist, a writer, or a politicianābut a rare blend of all three. Franklinās legacy lives on in countless ways: in libraries that welcome all readers, in inventions that value practicality, in a nation built on compromise and reason, and even on the hundred-dollar bill that bears his face. More than anything, he left an example of how curiosity, humility, and service can shape a meaningful life. Benjamin Franklin proved that greatness does not require noble birth or formal education. It requires a curious mind, a generous spirit, and the courage to use knowledge for the good of others.
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