Wed May 07 06:00:00 UTC 2025: ## India Launches Retaliatory Strikes in Pakistan, Islamabad Seeks De-escalation
**Islamabad, Pakistan –** In a dramatic escalation of tensions, India launched airstrikes targeting at least nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday morning, in an operation codenamed “Sindhur”. The strikes, reportedly resulting in the deaths of at least 90 militants, have sent shockwaves through Pakistan, with the country’s defense minister pleading for de-escalation.
The Indian action, a response to a recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians on April 22nd, has left Pakistan on the defensive. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Bloomberg, stated that Pakistan would be willing to de-escalate the situation if India reciprocated. However, he denied any knowledge of impending India-Pakistan talks.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif described the Indian strikes as a “declaration of war,” vowing a strong response and asserting Pakistan’s military’s capability to retaliate.
Prior to the airstrikes, India had already taken several strong measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and downgrading diplomatic ties. The current situation remains highly volatile.
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