War of words, water and warning shots: Why India and Pakistan must avoid a bigger clash

Indian security personnel stand guard in Wuyan near Srinagar on May 7, 2025, following border tensions. India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on May 7, after New Delhi launched missile strikes on its arch-rival in a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours. New Delhi announced it had carried out "precision strikes at terrorist camps" at nine sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, days after it blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack on the Indian-run side of the disputed region. (Photo by Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP)

Indian security personnel stand guard in Wuyan, on the Indian-controlled side of Kashmir, on May 7 following border tensions.

PHOTO: AFP

Ravi Velloor

SINGAPORE – The Indian strikes on Pakistan were never a matter of “why” but “when”.

Since terrorists on April 22 mowed down 26 tourists – all Indians except for one Nepali – in the tourist town of Pahalgam in Kashmir, it was inevitable that the Indian government, which has accused Pakistan of backing armed insurgents who target its people, would respond in a strong way.

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