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President Donald Trump weighed in after the Indian government announced that it had launched multiple strikes against Pakistan and on Pakistan's side of the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Context India carried out the strikes early Wednesday, local time, in what it called "Operation Sindoor." The strikes were launched in retaliation to an attack last month in which armed gunmen opened fire on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least two dozen people.
New Delhi blamed the attack on Pakistan-backed militants, an allegation Islamabad denies. India's defense ministry said Tuesday that its strikes had targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistani security officials said the missile strikes were launched on at least three locations in Pakistani territory.
Pakistan's military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, later said India struck six locations, killing eight people and injuring 38. What To Know Trump reacted to the strikes Tuesday evening in the U.S., saying in part: "It's a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking through the doors of the Oval."
He added of the two nuclear adversaries: "They've been fighting for a long time … I just hope it ends very quickly." The president's comments came during the swearing-in ceremony for Steve Witkoff, the U.S.'s special envoy to the Middle East.
. @POTUS reacts to India's airstrikes into Pakistan: "We just heard about it as we were walking through the doors of the Oval… They've been fighting for a long time…
I just hope it ends very quickly." pic.twitter.com/HfrKm49tP8 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 6, 2025 The Indian embassy said in an emailed press release that Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval briefed his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State, and interim national security adviser Marco Rubio on the strikes shortly after they were launched. President Donald Trump speaks before Steve Witkoff is sworn as special envoy during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance watches…. President Donald Trump speaks before Steve Witkoff is sworn as special envoy during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance watches.
More Associated Press India's defense ministry said in a statement announcing the strikes: "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution."
It added: "These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable." Indian officials also said they only targeted what they described as "terrorist camps" in the strikes.
But Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja Asif, contested that claim, telling Geo News, "India is claiming it attacked terrorist camps; this is not true, international media can visit the places civilians were targeted." Local media outlets reported that Pakistan shut down its airspace for 48 hours following the strikes. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement: "Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given."
He added that "the Pakistani nation and the Pakistan Armed Forces know very well how to deal with the enemy. We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives." What People Are Saying The Indian embassy in the U.S. said in an emailed press release: "India has credible leads, technical inputs, testimony of the survivors and other evidence pointing towards the clear involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in this attack."
Pakistan's foreign ministry described the strikes as an "unprovoked and blatant act of war," adding in a statement: "We strongly condemn India's cowardly action, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations." It added: "The situation continues to evolve. Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law.
The government, armed forces and people of Pakistan stand united in the face of Indian aggression. They will always act with iron resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan." The U.S. State Department said it's "closely monitoring" the situation, adding in a statement: "We are aware of the reports, however we have no assessment to offer at this time.
This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments." Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X: "I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo @POTUS's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution."
What Happens Next Islamabad vowed to mount a "strong response" to India's strikes but did not provide more details. Update 5/6/25 6:08 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and context.
Update 5/6/25 8:23 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.
