Islamabad accuses India of reckless moves pushing nuclear rivals toward war

Pakistan has accused India of recklessly pushing the two nuclear-armed nations to the brink of major conflict, following a dramatic escalation in hostilities sparked by a deadly attack in Kashmir.

“It is most unfortunate that India’s reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said at a press briefing in Islamabad, according to Pakistani media, quoted by Caliber.Az.

“India’s jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world,” he noted.

On May 6, India launched a series of airstrikes on locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, describing the operation as a retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 killing of 26 Hindu pilgrims in the Indian-administered part of Jammu and Kashmir. India blamed the attack on Islamist militant groups it claims are backed by Pakistan, though it has not made public any evidence supporting the accusation.

According to Indian officials, the air operation—dubbed Operation Sindoor—targeted nine sites linked to the militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, both of which India holds responsible for the Kashmir killings. A senior Indian defence source said the strikes successfully hit the headquarters of both groups.

Pakistan strongly denied that the targeted sites were militant camps, asserting that six locations struck by Indian missiles were civilian areas. Pakistan’s military labelled the attack a “blatant act of war”. It resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians and injuries to 46 others.

In retaliation, Pakistan announced it had shot down five Indian aircraft. According to Pakistan’s military, the downed jets included three Rafale fighters, one Su-30, and one MiG-29. India has yet to officially confirm the losses.

The events mark the most severe flare-up between the two countries in over two decades. Tensions have been rising steadily since the April 22 attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam. India was quick to link Islamabad to the attack and launched a series of retaliatory diplomatic measures without presenting formal evidence.

These measures included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking visas for Pakistani citizens, and closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing. In response, Pakistan ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military attachés, cancelled all visas for Indian nationals—except those for Sikh pilgrims—and shut down the border crossing on its side.

Islamabad has denied any role in the April 22 attack and has offered to cooperate in a “credible and transparent investigation” to determine responsibility.

By Tamilla Hasanova