Niamat Ullah

“The war that is deluged in diplomatic failure, strategic inactions and information warfare that too accelerated by misinformation, Jingoistic and war hysteria fueled by governments to secure their interest”.

Two countries with nuclear weaponry and technological advancement, having a historical rivalry, have reached a critical juncture in 2025, with recent events threatening regional stability and global peace in a new way, on the brink of defeat, to kill civilians and demonstrate strength while violating international law and convention of United Nations.

The Catalyst: Pahalgam attack

It was April 22,25 that started the ignition of war by devastating militant gunmen who shot dead 25 tourists along with a guide in the beautiful and popular valley in Kashmir, famously known as “Pahalgam”. The region itself has a history of terrorising past and victimisation faced once more, shocked and soaked in the blood of newlyweds, which distraught the people to the core. The tragedy that condemned across the countries; Yet, without a shred of evidence and respect to the due course of law Indian Government started alleging Pakistan of a crime yet to be evidenced, investigated and tabled. Pakistan, with compliance to international law and conventions, offered an investigation by a third party, but the Indian government have to have electoral interests to wage war.

Operation Sindoor: Blindfold Revenge

On May 7, India retaliated by initiating “Operation Sindoor”, claiming to target terrorist installations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province. India used Rafale jets fitted with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs to target nine targets, including Muzzafarbad, Shakkargarh, Bahawalpur and Muridke. The operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” according to India, to prevent civilian casualties. Substantially, there have been civilian casualties, and they attacked mainly Mosques, religious institutions and ordinary citizens. One can see with little rationale that India is the Jury, judge, and Executioner here.

Pakistan’s Escalatory Responses

Pakistan reported 37 civilian deaths and 57 injuries, denouncing the strikes as acts of war. Pakistan responded by claiming to have shot down five Indian jets and exchanged artillery along the Line of Control, which led to more losses on both. India would “suffer the consequences” for its “cowardly” strikes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised. India’s core media with misinformation caught firing the unauthentic news, with the least desire to maintain peace and tranquillity in two nuclear states that are too blinded by war hysteria and warmongering.

Diplomatic Fallout and International Reactions

The crisis resulted in significant diplomatic repercussions; India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, withdrew visas for Pakistani nationals, and expelled Pakistani diplomats. Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft and halting trade relations. Global leaders, including those from the United States, China, and Turkey, had urged both countries to exercise patience and restraint to pursue diplomatic solutions to avoid any further escalation.

Misinformation and Warfare –Narrativising

Both countries engaged in information warfare, with social media and state-run outlets used to craft stories. India accused Pakistan of disseminating inaccurate information, including doctored photographs and AI-generated videos incorrectly depicting an Indian aircraft being shot down. In contrast, Pakistan used social media platforms to highlight suspected human rights abuses in Kashmir, in the hopes of gaining foreign recognition.

 Alas! The wheelers of both states seem less concerned about their civilians than their sadistic and destructive desire to defeat one another at the cost of civilian casualties, social distrust and economic fragility under the umbrella of Nationalism. ( I would say Jingoism). As acutely pointed out by Arundhati Roy, in her political essay (War Talk)

 “Nationalism of one kind or another was the cause of most of the genocide of the twentieth century. Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people’s minds and then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.”

Navigating a Path to Peace

The 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan depicts the fragility of South Asia’s peace. Although both countries have legitimate security questions, lasting stability lies in continued diplomatic involvement, confidence-building efforts, and combating disinformation. To avoid future conflicts, I, with a distraught mind and hurtful heart, can suggest the de-escalation of war, a desire to Anti-war policy from the masses, peace dialogues and a will for the sustainability of the region. May civility, sanity and peace prevail over bigotry, hatred, disinformation and Jingoism.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Himalayan Research Institute Pakistan - (THRIP)

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Niamat Ullah Bashar is a resident of Loralai district, Balochistan, currently pursuing law degree at Government College University Lahore.