President Donald Trump appeared caught off-guard by escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, responding in the Oval Office, “We just heard about it… I just hope it ends very quickly.”
Tensions rose after a terrorist attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 Hindu tourists. India blamed the Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, and launched “Operation Sindoor,” striking alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan.
Pakistan condemned the strikes as acts of war, reporting civilian casualties and retaliating by downing Indian jets and shelling across the Line of Control.
Diplomatic ties have since worsened, with treaty suspensions and heightened military alerts. International actors urged restraint.
India insists its actions were targeted and non-escalatory, while Pakistan claims civilians were hit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed a strong response, saying Pakistan will not allow India’s objectives to succeed.
