Timeline of the Pakistan-India Conflict: April 22 to May 10, 2025

Timeline of the India-Pakistan Conflict: April 18 – May 10, 2025

From a train hijacking in Baluchistan to deadly violence in Kashmir, the April-May 2025 escalation nearly pushed South Asia to war before a last-minute ceasefire

April 18

• Train Hijacking in Baluchistan: Armed assailants hijack a passenger train near Bolan in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, sparking concerns over growing cross-border militant activity.

April 22

• Pahalgam Massacre: 26 civilians, including tourists from the UAE and Nepal, a Navy officer, and an Intelligence Bureau official, are killed in a tragic attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
• India blames Pakistan for orchestrating the attack.
• Pakistan denies involvement.

April 23

• India Retaliates Diplomatically: India suspends the Indus Water Treaty, a key 1960 agreement over shared rivers.
• All visas for Pakistani nationals are revoked.
• Reports indicate 56 foreign militants are active in Jammu and Kashmir.

April 26

• Call for Investigation: Pakistan’s Prime Minister expresses willingness for a neutral international probe into the Pahalgam incident.

April 29

• Anticipation of Retaliation: Pakistan publicly warns of possible Indian military strikes.

April 30

• US Issues De-escalation Appeal: The US urges both nuclear-armed nations to show restraint and open channels of dialogue.

May 3

• Missile Test: Pakistan tests its Abdali short-range ballistic missile, a move widely seen as a show of deterrence.

May 4

• Denial of Involvement: Pakistan’s Prime Minister again denies any Pakistani state link to the Pahalgam attack.

May 5

• UN Engagement: Pakistan formally requests United Nations intervention to mediate the crisis and prevent escalation.

May 6

• Drone Clash: Pakistan claims it shot down 29 Indian drones violating its airspace near the LoC and in Punjab.

May 7

• India Launches ‘Operation Sindoor’:
  • India announces precision missile strikes on nine military targets inside Pakistan, claiming it was in retaliation for Pahalgam.
  • No civilian casualties are reported, but damage to military installations is confirmed.
  • Pakistan denies the extent of the strikes and calls them a violation of sovereignty.

May 8

• Trump Offers Mediation: US President Donald Trump tweets an offer to mediate the growing India-Pakistan conflict.

May 9

• New Wave of Drone Attacks and Counterclaims:
  • Pakistan claims to down another 29 Indian drones.
  • Islamabad accuses India of launching missile attacks on airbases in Punjab and Sindh provinces.
  • India alleges Pakistan shelled civilian areas in Ferozepur, injuring three people.
  • Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir visits both capitals in a bid to defuse tensions.

May 10

• Pakistan Responds with ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’:
  • Pakistan launches retaliatory strikes inside Indian territory.
  • US-mediated backchannel diplomacy leads to both sides agreeing to a full ceasefire.