New Delhi: India’s targeted military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday morning have triggered a wave of international responses, as world leaders weigh in on the escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The Indian Air Force carried out precision missile strikes on nine locations, including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke. These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.
India’s Ministry of Defence emphasized that the operation was focused, measured, and non-escalatory, targeting only terrorist infrastructure and avoiding Pakistani military facilities.
Casualties and Retaliation
According to Pakistani officials, eight people were killed in the missile strikes. In response, Pakistan launched artillery fire along the Line of Control, resulting in the deaths of three Indian civilians, Indian authorities confirmed.
Pakistan called the Indian action a major escalation and indicated it had begun retaliating, though it later signaled openness to de-escalation if India halts further operations.
International Reactions
United States: U.S. President Donald Trump expressed regret over the situation, saying, “It’s a shame… I just hope it ends very quickly.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was “monitoring the situation closely” and would continue to engage both India and Pakistan toward a “peaceful resolution.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed that NSA Ajit Doval had briefed Rubio on India’s military actions.
China: China urged both nations to exercise restraint. A spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry stated, “We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritize peace and stability, remain calm and restrained, and avoid actions that further complicate the situation.”
Israel: Backing India, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Israel supports India’s right to self-defence. Terrorists should know there’s no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.”
United Nations:UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over India’s cross-border strikes. His spokesperson called for “maximum military restraint” from both countries, stressing that the world “cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
United Arab Emirates: The UAE called for calm, urging both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation.” UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective paths to peace.
India’s Stance: India has maintained that its strikes were targeted responses against terror groups operating with impunity across the border, not an act of aggression against the Pakistani state. Officials reiterated that the strikes were a measured response to hold the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack accountable.
With international concern mounting and both sides signaling readiness for dialogue, the global community is closely watching for the next move in this high-stakes standoff
