Pakistan has announced the official closure of its airspace. They have further conducted across-the-border retaliatory strikes against several targets within India, significantly increasing tensions between the two long-time rivals. This implementation phase of military actions comes on the heels of Pakistan accused of sending drone strikes across into India’s territory. The situation remained unconducive at the regional level, leading to a sustained push from G7 member countries for de-escalation.
In the early hours of [insert date of events], Pakistan’s military initiated Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos. In Arabic it literally means “wall of lead.” The military claims it successfully targeted significant sites, including India’s Pathankot airfield, Udhampur air force station, and a BrahMos missile site. This operation represents an unprecedented escalation of the tit-for-tat cycle of violence that has defined Pakistan-India relations.
On 25 February, reports appeared that Pakistan’s military had found the Indians’ missiles had indeed struck the Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot bases. This momentous reflection ignited an intensification of frictions. In retaliation, Pakistan shut its airspace to all civilian traffic. This decision raised alarms about the potential for increased military conflict. Based on reports from Pakistan’s state broadcaster, these counterstrikes will target dozens of sites throughout India.
His country’s army chief, General Asim Munir, has been leading this brutal military counterattack. He has come under fire not only for centralizing control over the military establishment but for playing a deft hand with the unpredictable waters of Pakistan’s civil-military politics. For more than 77 years, the fate of Pakistan’s governance has mainly been dictated by autocratic military generals who run the show from behind the curtain. Observers note that General Munir has been encouraged to assert his leadership during this crisis, reflecting broader national sentiments regarding security and sovereignty.
Now the military has released a captivating video featuring its opening strike on Indian positions. This move takes the puffery out of their professed seriousness about having created Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos. The downing is more a reflection of Pakistan’s policy to show off its military prowess and determination while it walks its own tightrope between continued hostilities.
And all of them are now calling for an immediate de-escalation of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India. They highlight the need for open conversation and debate to bring about a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the prospect of more egregious violence in the country. This concern is born from the decades-long hostile relationship between these two nuclear-armed neighbors.
As both countries continue to walk this dangerous line in their relationship, the developments are still unfolding. Analysts observe that the military’s involvement in governance and national security continues to play a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s political dynamics. Lastly, military leadership in Pakistan has enjoyed a historically powerful role. This imposes a near-impossible task on civilian leadership as they seek to create a stable and lasting peace.
While Pakistan fight these military battles, what the regional security picture will be is unclear. Either way, both countries stand upon a pivotal moment. These global rivalry-driven escalations endanger the lives of their millions of people and export geopolitical instability to South Asia.