Pakistan and India on Thursday marked the first anniversary of their May cross-border conflict, which ended after a ceasefire announcement by then US President Donald Trump.
The four-day escalation last year was triggered by an April 22, 2025 attack at the Pahalgam tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed at least 26 people. India accused Pakistan of involvement, a claim Islamabad strongly rejected, calling instead for an independent investigation.
Following the incident, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, targeting locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan carried out “Operation Bunyanun Marsoos,” striking military targets in Indian-administered Kashmir and parts of mainland India.
After four days of intense aerial and cross-border exchanges, a ceasefire was announced on May 10 by Trump, bringing an end to the hostilities.
Marking the anniversary, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the military response demonstrated India’s commitment to national security and its firm stance against terrorism. He described “Operation Sindoor” as evidence of India’s defense capabilities and technological advancement.
On the Pakistani side, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the conflict as a significant moment in the country’s military history, saying it strengthened national confidence and highlighted the modernization of the Pakistan Air Force.
Pakistan Air Force Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu said the force demonstrated strong operational capability during the clashes, calling it the first instance of a full-spectrum multi-domain operation in air warfare history.
Pakistan has claimed it downed several Indian aircraft during the conflict, including Rafale, Mirage 2000, Su-30, and MiG-29 jets, along with an unmanned aerial vehicle. India has acknowledged losses but has not confirmed specific numbers, while stating it also inflicted damage on Pakistani aircraft, a claim denied by Islamabad.
Both sides continue to maintain divergent accounts of the conflict, which resulted in dozens of deaths, including civilians, across the border regions.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE