India-Pakistan Conflict 2025: Causes, Escalation, and Aftermath

The India-Pakistan conflict remains one of the most volatile and closely watched rivalries in South Asia. The most recent escalation in 2025, triggered by a deadly attack in Kashmir, has once again brought the two nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of war, raising global concerns about regional stability and security.

What Sparked the 2025 India-Pakistan Crisis?

India downgrades ties with Pakistan after Kashmir attack

The immediate cause of the 2025 conflict was the Pahalgam attack on April 22, where militants killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), a relatively unknown militant group, claimed responsibility. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied, calling for an international investigation and rejecting any involvement.

Are you a Hindu?': Kashmir attack survivors say gunmen asked their religion  before opening fire

Timeline of Escalation

  • April 22, 2025: Pahalgam attack kills 26 civilians in Kashmir.

  • April 23-24: Armed skirmishes erupt along the Line of Control (LoC), with both sides exchanging fire.

  • May 7, 2025: India launches “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting what it described as militant camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

  • May 7-10, 2025: Both nations engage in drone strikes, missile attacks, and border skirmishes. Pakistan retaliates with “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,” targeting Indian military bases.

  • May 10, 2025: A ceasefire is announced after hotline talks between military officials. Both sides claim victory, but neither achieves a decisive upper hand.

Diplomatic and Economic Fallout

‘We’re cursed’: Kashmiris under attack across India after Pahalgam killings

The conflict led to a rapid deterioration in diplomatic relations:

  • India expelled Pakistani diplomats, suspended visa services, and withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty.

  • Pakistan responded with trade restrictions, airspace closures, and the suspension of the Shimla Agreement.

  • Both countries experienced internet slowdowns, restricted cross-border digital access, and a surge in misinformation campaigns.

Strategic and Military Lessons

This conflict marked the first significant use of drones and advanced missile systems by both sides, highlighting a dangerous escalation under the nuclear umbrella. Despite India’s conventional military advantage, Pakistan’s nuclear posture and strategic ambiguity effectively deterred large-scale escalation, keeping the conflict limited but highly destructive.

Pahalgam terror attack: Pak plans missile test, issues no-fly zone in  Arabian sea after J&K terror attack

Impact on Civilians and Regional Stability

  • Dozens of civilians were killed or injured on both sides, with reports of strikes on religious sites and urban centers.

  • The conflict disrupted trade, travel, and daily life, especially in border regions and Kashmir.

  • International actors including the United States and China called for restraint and de-escalation, underscoring the global stakes of any India-Pakistan confrontation.

Final Note

The 2025 India-Pakistan conflict underscores the enduring volatility of their relationship, the risks of escalation between nuclear-armed states, and the profound impact on regional and global security. While the ceasefire has restored a fragile calm, the underlying issues—especially the Kashmir dispute—remain unresolved, keeping the region on edge for future crises.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies

©️ Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.