A Detailed Account of the Four-Day India-Pakistan Conflict and Its Rapid Escalation

The recent hostilities between India and Pakistan were ignited by a terrorist attack on the Indian side of Kashmir on April 22. India accused Pakistan of harboring militant groups and launched a military operation across the border in response.

The confrontation rapidly intensified into four consecutive nights of combat, with both countries penetrating deeper into each other’s territory than seen in over fifty years. The engagement was notable for the use of advanced technology, which dramatically escalated aerial confrontations.

While comprehensive assessments of the damage on both sides will take time, especially amid restricted media access and widespread misinformation, the known sequence of events outlines how the conflict unfolded.

Initial Strikes

During the early hours of Wednesday, India conducted airstrikes targeting locations deeper within Pakistani territory than in recent decades. The strikes reportedly came close to sites linked to terrorist organizations, allowing India to claim a tactical success.

However, the operation soon evolved into a prolonged aerial engagement between the two nations’ air forces. Jets from both sides engaged in combat near the border but avoided crossing it. India suffered losses, including at least two of its most advanced fighter aircraft.

Rising Tensions

On the second day, amid intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, India reported that it had foiled an overnight Pakistani attempt to strike military targets across more than a dozen border towns and cities. In retaliation, India launched attacks against critical military installations, including air defense systems in Lahore, a move analysts suggest typically heightens conflict intensity.