Though both sides likely want to avoid full-blown conflict, India's strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir will very likely prompt Islamabad to undertake its own kinetic response, threatening at least a limited period of more cross-border attacks that will heighten a range of security risks in both countries. Early May 7, the Indian military announced it had launched "Operation Sindoor," claiming it struck nine sites of "terrorist infrastructure" linked to militant attacks in Kashmir. Four of the sites were reportedly located in Pakistan's eastern province of Punjab, with the remaining five located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Local media reports claim India's military used air assets to deploy standoff weapons, including SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles and AASM HAMMER smart missiles, as well as loitering munitions to target alleged militant infrastructure. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri characterized the strikes as "pre-emptive and precautionary," saying New Delhi acted in response to intelligence it had...
