UPD: As Reuters writes, Pakistan convened the highest decision-making body concerning the nuclear arsenal
On the morning of May 10, Pakistan announced the start of a large-scale military operation 'Banyan-ul-Marsus' ('Strong Shield'), calling it a response to 'Indian aggression.' Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Saturday morning that his government had no choice but to take retaliatory measures. 'This is a measured and proportional action, retribution for what they did,' he said on the Pakistani TV channel Geo News, reporting that the targets of the strikes included, in particular, airbases in the city of Udhampur in the Indian part of Kashmir and in Pathankot in the state of Punjab, as well as a supersonic missile 'BrahMos' warehouse in Beas. This was done in response to strikes by the Indian army. 'An eye for an eye,' said the Pakistani military statement.
Meanwhile, as writes The New York Times, India stated that it struck several Pakistani military targets, including two radar installations, in response to a wave of Pakistani attacks on 26 targets using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets. 'Limited damage' was inflicted on equipment and personnel at four air force bases, Indian armed forces representatives said at a press conference on Saturday.
'It was Pakistan's actions that provoked and escalated the situation. In response, India defended itself and reacted responsibly and measuredly,' said India's Foreign Minister Vikram Misri.
Both countries claim their commitment to de-escalation, but the confrontation is only intensifying.
The G7 group on Friday called on India and Pakistan to start direct dialogue amid escalating hostility between the nuclear-armed neighbors. In a statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, they 'strongly condemn' the Islamist militant attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan, which denied the accusations and called for a neutral investigation. 'We call for immediate de-escalation and urge both countries to start direct dialogue to achieve a peaceful outcome,' said the G7 statement.
Following a conversation on Friday between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the head of the Pakistani army Asim Munir, the US State Department reported that Rubio offered US assistance 'in initiating constructive negotiations to avoid future conflicts.'
Since the end of April, Rubio has also been regularly communicating with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
President Donald Trump earlier this week stated that the rise in tension is a disgrace. Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance said that the war between the two countries is 'not our business,' notes Reuters.
In recent years, India has been seen by Western powers as an important partner to counter China's growing influence. Pakistan is an ally of the US, although its significance has diminished after Washington withdrew its troops from neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir, where the majority of the population is Muslim, is fully claimed but only partially governed by both Hindu-majority India and Islamic Pakistan. For decades, it has been a site of wars, insurgencies, and diplomatic standoffs.
India and Pakistan became separate states in 1947, and during this time they have fought three wars, with disputes over Kashmir being part of each of them. In one of these wars, in December 1971, the so-called Line of Control was established, dividing Kashmir.
Photo: Reuters