On May 7, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan reported a serious escalation along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir. According to the agency, Pakistan had initiated both ground and aerial military operations against Indian forces.
India Begins “Sindoor” Military Campaign
In response, the Ministry of Defence (India) confirmed that the Indian Armed Forces had launched a coordinated strike. The operation, code-named Sindoor, targeted facilities in both Pakistani territory and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
India claimed these areas were used to orchestrate and command attacks against Indian interests. Officials described the mission as precise, restrained, and non-escalatory. 
Civilian Casualties Confirmed in Pakistani Territories
The Pakistani military reported at least three deaths due to the Indian assault. In Bahawalpur, located in eastern Punjab, the Subhan Mosque was struck. A child was killed instantly. A woman and a man were also critically injured.
Meanwhile, two more civilians died in Gohdli, a town in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Indian officials later confirmed that their strikes had resulted in three deaths but emphasized no military targets were involved.
Indian Missiles Hit Multiple Locations
According to ISPR, Indian missiles struck three locations early that morning. The impacted sites included Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad (the capital of Azad Kashmir), and Gohdli.
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the ISPR, stated that India’s warplanes failed to penetrate Pakistani airspace. The Pakistan Air Force remained fully alert and intercepted any attempted airspace violations. He declared that Pakistan would issue a full and timely response.
Loud Explosions Heard by Residents
Witnesses across Punjab and Azad Kashmir reported hearing massive explosions during the night. The blasts caused panic and fear among local residents. Many feared this could be the start of a larger conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.
India Stresses Controlled Intent
India’s defense ministry reiterated that the Sindoor operation was deliberately limited. The mission was aimed solely at what they described as “terrorist infrastructure” and not Pakistan’s military facilities.
They emphasized that targets were carefully chosen and the strike strategy was calibrated to avoid escalation.
Pakistan Closes National Airspace for 48 Hours
Shortly after the Indian strike, Pakistan announced a nationwide shutdown of its airspace. The closure would last for 48 hours starting May 7.
All commercial and civilian flights were immediately canceled. The move signals Pakistan’s heightened security measures amid rising tensions.
