India strikes Pakistan in wake of Kashmir massacre. Pakistan says 5 Indian planes downed

Here's what's happening
• Missiles launched: India said it launched “Operation Sindoor” on Wednesday, striking “terrorist infrastructure” in both Pakistan and Pakistan administered-Kashmir, in a major escalation between the two neighbors. The targets in Pakistan are the deepest India has struck inside the country since the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.

• Downed planes: Pakistan said eight people were killed, including children, in what the prime minister described as “an act of war.” In addition, Pakistan said five Indian Air Force planes and a drone were shot down during the attack.

• Blast in Srinagar: A blast was also heard in the city of Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, eyewitnesses told CNN. Srinagar is the largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir.

• Kashmir dispute: India, which has a Hindu majority, and Pakistan, which is mostly Muslim, each control parts of Kashmir but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the territory.

• Attack on civilians: The latest escalation comes after gunmen massacred 26 civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month. India accused Pakistan of being involved and vowed to retaliate against those it deemed responsible. Islamabad denied the accusations.
India's strikes come after days of mounting pressure on its Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi

India’s strikes against Pakistan come more than two weeks of mounting pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to forcefully retaliate against its neighbor after a tourist massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Last month militants stormed the mountainous and picturesque district of Pahalgam and killed 25 Indian tourists in the worst assault on Indian civilians in recent years. The massacre immediately cratered already hostile relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, with New Delhi swift to blame its neighbor.

Modi – a strongman Hindu-nationalist leader who has positioned himself as the protector of the nation and last year won a rare third term in power – immediately vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth.”

He governs a proud, nationalistic nation that believes in its ability to handle difficult situations.

Following the massacre, India’s loud and often jingoistic media immediately called for blood.

“We want revenge” read a headline on one channel. “Bharat is battle ready,” read another, referring to India by its Sanskrit title.

Analysts say it was only a matter of time before Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded with force.

“Modi and his government believe it is imperative to respond to Pahalgam,” said Derek J. Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, a US-based think tank.

“Indians are very likely to support New Delhi’s response – regardless of what it is, perhaps except for a nuclear response – because they believe Pakistan must be deterred in the future.”