Timeline of India-Pakistan tensions after Pahalgam terror attack: From April 22 killings to Operation Sindoor strikes & counterfire
Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. This article traces key events from the attack to the ongoing cross-border tensions as of May 9.
This article tracks the escalation of India-Pakistan tensions, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack on civilians and leading up to Operation Sindoor and military activity on May 9.
April 22: Attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Five armed militants attacked tourists near Pahalgam in the Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025. The militants used M4 carbines and AK-47s to kill 26 civilians ¡ª 25 tourists and a local Muslim pony ride operator who resisted the attackers. The majority of those killed were Hindu tourists, though one Christian tourist also died. Attackers asked victims to declare their religion and recite the Islamic kalima to identify non-Muslims. Several couples were among the victims.
The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility, calling the attack a response to non-local settlement in Kashmir after the region's special status was revoked. TRF later retracted the claim.
April 23: India suspends treaty with Pakistan
In response to the Pahalgam killings, India suspended its treaty with Pakistan on April 23, citing national security concerns. The decision was made in a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. India did not inform the World Bank, which stated it had only a facilitator role and no authority over the treaty.
April 29: PM Modi gives armed forces full operational freedom
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level meeting on April 29 with top defence officials, granted the Indian armed forces complete operational freedom to choose the mode, timing and targets of a response. He also stressed the need to deliver a ¡°crushing blow to terrorism.¡±
May 7: Operation Sindoor launched
In the early hours of May 7, India launched ¡®Operation Sindoor¡¯ ¡ª a focused military response to the Pahalgam attack.
1:28 am: Indian Army posted on X: "Praharay Sannihitaah, Jaya Prakshitayaah" (Ready to Attack, Trained for Victory).
1:28¨C1:32 am: Missile strikes conducted on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Bahawalpur ¡ª a stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
1:28¨C1:51 am: Loud explosions were reported in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and other regions.
1:51 am: Indian Army posted again: ¡°#PahalgamTerrorAttack Justice is Served. Jai Hind!¡±
2:46 am: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reacted with ¡°Bharat Mata ki Jai¡± on X.
3:10 am: US President Donald Trump issued a statement on the strikes.
3:15 am: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke with his US counterpart and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
India clarified that the strikes were aimed at terrorist hideouts, not Pakistani military bases. Targets included hideouts linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba¡¯s Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed¡¯s Masood Azhar.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry of Pakistan¡¯s ISPR confirmed the Indian military action. Pakistan responded with cross-border firing, met with a strong reply from the Indian side.
May 8¨C9: Infiltration attempts and drone activity
May 8, 11:00 pm: The BSF foiled a major infiltration attempt at the International Boundary in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir.
At around 2300 hours on 8 May 2025, BSF foiled a major infiltration bid at the International Boundary in Samba district, J&K: BSF Jammu pic.twitter.com/AvIvCpVZH2
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
May 8: Two Pakistani drones were shot down by Indian Army Air Defence Units in the Naushera sector.
Two Pakistani drones shot down by Indian Army Air Defence Units in Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Heavy exchange of artillery fire on between the two sides in the sector: Defence Sources pic.twitter.com/W9yYnFOLEU
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
May 8: A heavy exchange of artillery fire was reported in the Naushera sector.
May 8: A complete blackout was enforced in Chandigarh.
#WATCH | A complete blackout has been enforced in Chandigarh
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/yfonf8zOqB
May 8: A Pakistani Air Force jet was shot down in the Pathankot sector by Indian air defence, according to ANI sources.
A Pakistani Air Force jet has been shot down in the Pathankot sector by Indian air defence, multiple sources tell ANI. More details awaited. Official government confirmation awaited. pic.twitter.com/RFcC1vkjdp
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025
May 9: Explosions were heard in Samba as India¡¯s air defence intercepted more Pakistani drones amid continued blackout.
#WATCH | J&K | Explosions heard in Samba as India's air defence intercepts Pakistani drones amid blackout.
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
(Visuals deferred by an unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/tcMVBbdjEj
May 9: PM Modi also chaired a review meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, the CDS, and service chiefs to assess the evolving security situation.
PM Narendra Modi chairs a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS and chiefs of all the Armed Forces https://t.co/EbKenXBAAp pic.twitter.com/PBHpsX8Enu
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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