How Hindustan was humbled
From Operation Sindoor to Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos: a blow-by-blow account
SITUATIONER
May 13, 2025
SEVERAL fighter jets shot down during a ‘dogfight’ involving over 100 aircraft; thousands of missiles fired into enemy territory; and more than 600 military drones downed within three days — these were the kinds of operations undertaken by the militaries of Pakistan and India between 7 and 10 May 2025.
While the two nuclear-armed neighbours are no strangers to conflict, the overzealous and impassioned manner in which they unleashed fury upon each other was simply terrifying. Thankfully, the US president intervened and both sides stepped back from the brink.
The deadly escalation began with the massacre of 26 innocent tourists at a hill station in Occupied Kashmir. New Delhi held Pakistan responsible — an accusation Islamabad denied, calling instead for an independent international inquiry. India did not provide any evidence to support its claim of Pakistan’s involvement in the deadly assault.
In the early hours of 7 May, India launched a series of air strikes on Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties. This led to days of missile exchanges. A ceasefire was only achieved following American intervention.
On Saturday, with tensions peaking, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached between the two countries.
Timeline of events
22 April: Gunmen killed at least 26 tourists at the Pahalgam resort in Occupied Kashmir. Seventeen others were injured. A group called Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility.
23 April: Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed concern over the loss of innocent lives.
India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with immediate effect, shut the Attari border post, and ordered all Pakistanis under the Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) to leave within 48 hours. Defence officials at Pakistan’s High Commission were declared persona non grata.
Meanwhile, students from Occupied Kashmir reported harassment in Indian cities.
24 April: Pakistan condemned any interference with water flow under the IWT as an “act of war”, suspended trade, and closed its airspace to India. The Wagah border was also shut. SVES visas for Indian nationals were cancelled, except for Sikh pilgrims. Indian defence advisers in Islamabad were expelled. The staff strength of the Indian High Commission was capped at 30.
India ordered Pakistani nationals to leave by 29 April, shut its main border point, and summoned Pakistan’s envoy. The Pakistani government’s X account was blocked.
25 April: Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani officials confirmed that there was no firing on civilians.
26 April: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s openness to an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident and warned against any Indian attempt to tamper with Pakistan’s water rights.
28 April: Cross-LoC shelling continued. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that any Indian incursion would be met with force. He noted that nuclear weapons would only be used in response to a direct existential threat. India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels.
29 April: As per intelligence reports, India might launch an attack within the next 24 to 36 hours, said Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. For his part, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan would not strike first but reserved the right to respond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised the Indian military to choose the time, place and manner of attacks on targets in Pakistan.
30 April: Pakistan responded to a ceasefire breach, destroying Indian bunkers and forcing four Rafale jets to retreat. Airspace over Gilgit-Baltistan was closed. India shut its airspace to Pakistani aircraft.
1 May: Army chief General Asim Munir warned of a “swift and resolute” response to any Indian misadventure. Neelum Valley was closed to tourists. Hotels were placed at the military’s disposal. Airspace over Karachi and Lahore was closed for eight hours daily in May.
2 May: India blocked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official YouTube channel. New Delhi also urged multilateral agencies to review funding to Pakistan.
3 May: Pakistan successfully tested the Abdali missile system. India banned postal exchange and imports from Pakistan, and barred Pakistani ships from its ports.
7 May: India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, including mosques and villages. The Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project was also hit. Five Indian jets were downed. Civilian casualties were reported. Pakistan’s National Security Committee authorised a military response “at a time and manner” of its choosing. India shut 21 airports until 10 May.
8 May: Pakistan neutralised at least 30 Indian drones across multiple cities. Four soldiers were wounded. India claimed 13 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling. The UN called for restraint. Flights at major Pakistani airports were suspended. Ninety flights were cancelled in Delhi.
9 May: Pakistan claimed to have shot down 77 Israeli drones used by India. The head of ISPR vowed to respond “at a time and place of our choosing”. Thirty-three people were killed and 76 injured in Indian strikes. Pakistan postponed PSL matches; the IPL was suspended for a week.
10 May: India targeted key PAF bases with missiles, most of which were intercepted. Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, successfully striking strategic sites in Indian territory, including missile depots, airbases, artillery posts, and grid infrastructure. The sheer number and intensity of the attacks took the Indian authorities by surprise. Talks continued in the background, and by 5pm, President Trump confirmed that a ceasefire had been agreed. Air traffic resumed by night.
11 May: DG ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that 26 Indian targets were hit, including several airbases and missile sites. He reiterated that Pakistan had never requested a ceasefire and reaffirmed Kashmir’s centrality to the dispute. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared Youm-e-Tashakkur (Day of Thanksgiving) to commemorate Pakistan’s response and success in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.