India vs Pakistan: A quick round up

Written by: Aarthi Ramnath, Raghav Bikhchandani & Yash Budhwar

India vs Pakistan: A quick round up

Here is the latest on the boiling state of affairs on the subcontinent.

Death tally: Pakistan has intensified mortar shelling of villages on the Kashmir border. At least 12 civilians, including three women and three children, were killed—and 51 others injured. One soldier was also killed. (The Hindu)

The India story: We now have the Indian Air Force account of what went down during the 25-minute strike.

The Armed forces conducted Operation Sindoor on the night between May 6 and 7 at 1.05 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. Nine terror camps were targeted and completely destroyed. Terror infrastructures such as centres for recruitment, indoctrination and launch pads are present in Pakistan and PoK.

They were linked to a variety of terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Hizbul Mujahideen. See their locations below:

Officials also offered ‘before’ and ‘after’ images of destroyed buildings:

About those drones: The military used “loitering munitions”—also known as ‘suicide drones’ to execute these strikes. They use tech acquired from an Israeli military company. Here’s how they work:

The loitering munition is a fully autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System (UAS) that can locate, acquire, and strike operator-designated targets with a warhead installed inside the fuselage, enabling high-precision performance.

This is the first time they have been deployed by India. (The Hindu)

About those missiles: Other news reports mention “a range of high-precision, long-range strike weapons, including the SCALP cruise missile, HAMMER precision-guided bomb”—with unnamed officials offering a more cinematic account:

Real-time monitoring via surveillance drones allowed confirmation of target destruction with minimal civilian casualties. Precision-guided munitions, including laser-designated missiles and satellite-guided glide bombs, were used to ensure high strike accuracy and avoid collateral damage. Missiles were launched from air and land platforms in a synchronised pattern, with multiple warheads striking simultaneously to neutralise the terror camps,” the security official said.

The Telegraph has more on this version.

The terrorist tally: There is no official tally, but the number being circulated is 70 terrorists killed and more than 60 injured.

Feminist or sexist? Some criticised the name Operation Sindoor—as an example of the patriarchal notion of men defending women’s honour. But everyone agreed that choosing two women commanders—one Muslim and the other Hindu—to lead the press conference sent exactly the right message. You can see Colonel Sofiya Qureshi from the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force in the image below:

Indian planes down… or not? There is also a PR war being fought over an Indian jet—which may or may not have been shot down. Pakistan immediately claimed to have downed five aircraft—which New Delhi has mostly ignored. According to the New York Times, however, an unnamed Indian official confirmed “the crash of three aircraft, but cautioned that the reasons were not clear.” And the Hindustan Times says at least one plane went down in Bathinda, Punjab—as confirmed by eyewitness accounts.

There are also numerous accounts of Pakistanis hearing sounds of jets flying above—and this bit in the Wall Street Journal:

In one village, 12 miles south of the Indian Kashmir city of Srinagar, residents said they were jolted awake late at night by the deafening roar of what they said sounded like jet fighters overhead. Moments later, a thunderous explosion shook the area as villagers witnessed a burning aircraft spiraling from the sky. “I was convinced our village was under attack,” said local resident Mohamad Mumeeb. “When I looked up, I saw this enormous fireball falling from the sky.”

Something to see: Military experts also analysed wreckage photos from the Indian side of Kashmir. One of them identified the debris as an external fuel tank for a plane—likely from a Rafale or Mirage fighter jet:

What’s really interesting: The Indian military has not said a word about using planes.

The escalation debate: New Delhi has been very clear that its strikes were not designed to provoke. This was an act of deterrence:

These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India… Our intelligence monitoring of Pakistan-based terrorist modules indicated that further attacks against India were impending. There was thus a compulsion both to deter and to pre-empt.

But, but, but: The Pakistanis obviously see it differently. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made an emotional speech vowing to “avenge every drop of blood” for the Pakistanis killed—including a seven-year-old boy whose funeral was attended by Sharif. See a clip of Sharif’s speech below:

Location, location, location: It is true that India has hit far deeper within Pakistani territory. Indian security officials boasted to Indian Express that we have “upped the ante and signalled that India can strike deep inside… This is a big leap forward—just short of war.” But that’s exactly the problem for Islamabad. As Al Jazeera points out:

The Indian attacks were the most expansive since the neighbours last fought a full-fledged war in 1971 — a time when neither had nuclear weapons at their disposal as they do now. Of the six places that Indian missiles struck, two are cities — Muzaffarabad and Kotli — in Pakistan-administered Kashmir... But the other four targets that India struck are in Punjab — Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot and Shakar Garh… The Indian military has not hit Punjab, Pakistan’s economic heartland that is also home to 60 percent of the country’s population, since 1971.

And a number of these locations are next to densely populated cities such as Lahore. An Indian political scientist explains:

“Surgically targeted precision strikes do not change the fact that there have been these large explosions in major Pakistani population centres,” said [Sumatra] Bose. “This is proper Pakistan, not Pakistan-administered-Kashmir [claimed by India].”

The big question: Modi-ji has indeed delivered on his memorable 2019 promise of “hum ghar me ghus ke marenge”—but will such success also force Islamabad’s hand? Or will Pakistan be content to claim the downing of five jets as punishment enough for violating its heartland? Striking back isn’t quite as simple for Islamabad:

Pakistan can scarcely afford a protracted war at a time of severe economic hardship. It would also face a complicated puzzle in choosing targets inside Indian territory. India has no equivalent terrorist apparatus to hit in tit-for-tat attacks. One potential option, striking Indian military installations, would risk serious reprisals.

New York Times (splainer gift link) has more on what’s next in this game of geopolitical chess. Al Jazeera emphasises the risk of escalation. Indian Express has more on the new ‘red line’ established by New Delhi.

AI + social media = death pill for websites

The context: When Facebook first came along, it was sold as a fabulous channel of online content distribution. Sites like Buzzfeed aced the social media game—and other publishers raced to replicate its success. What actually happened: People stopped clicking through on posts—while tech companies did their best to keep you scrolling—and stuck to their platform. The result: plummeting traffic to websites (including but not limited to news).

What happened now: According to a new study, AI could soon deliver the death blow to already struggling websites. It found that 50% of publishers reported a decline in search-generated traffic over the past year. The reason: People increasingly rely on Google’s AI summaries and ‘doomscrolling’ on social media—rather than clicking on specific links offered by search results. This is especially true for content sites:

Search traffic is no longer a given. Many publishers have used their websites to replicate the article format. But the website itself is no longer the primary destination for consumers as it struggles to meet expectations, while AI erodes monetisation… Publishers are losing visibility and value as their content is used but not rewarded.

Well, that’s tens of thousands of dollars and work-hours spent on SEO optimization down the bin.

Data point to note: Previous studies have estimated that website click-through traffic has declined by 40% or more in the past year—due to AI summaries.

What happens next: With AI ‘cannibalising’ news sites, industry experts are doling out new, expensive gyaan. Hey, you can’t just be on one platform—start spending on YouTube videos, podcasts etc. etc. Presumably until AI comes along and starts summarising news vids and podcasts lol!

Not just about news: The study also surveyed Gen Z users in the US—and found they are way more likely to find out about new brands, products, services and experiences on social media. YouTube took the lion’s share at 57%—followed by TikTok (53%) and Instagram (44%). Only 29% said they rely on Google searches or ads.

Also interesting to note: According to Mint, Indian brands are moving away from Instagram ads—which was their primary channel of advertising. They are instead opting to advertise on retail platforms—like Blinkit, Instamart and Zepto (On a side note, expect your delivery experience to become as awful as Amazon). (Times UK, paywalled, Media Leader)

India’s great global ambition: Ports

India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL)—a state-run company—plans to acquire and manage 20 commercial ports across Asia, Africa, and India. As of now, it only manages the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the Chabahar Port in Iran. The aim is to project global soft power—much as the Chinese Belt & Road Initiative—which uses infrastructure projects to acquire influence.

The grand plans: terminal development work at Bangladesh's second largest port in Khulna, Kankesanturai near Sri Lanka's Jaffna—even an Eastern Maritime Corridor that stretches from Chennai to Vladivostok in Russia. See cheesy infographic courtesy the Ministry of Ports:

But, but, but: The unnamed officials selling this dream to Mint don’t say how they plan to deal with certain “obstacles.” For example, interim Bangladesh PM Yunus is courting China at the expense of India—which is viewed as his rival Sheikh Hasina’s BFF. Why would Dhaka give India a strategic port—-to counter China?

Also rather unlikely: Any maritime corridor that runs through the South China Sea—which has long been claimed by Beijing. As for Africa:

Chinese state-owned firms are active stakeholders in an estimated 78 ports across 32 African countries as builders, financiers, or operators... With a total of 231 commercial ports in Africa, Chinese firms are present in over a third of Africa’s maritime trade hubs. This is a significantly greater presence than anywhere else in the world.

Amusing quote to note: And yet Indian infrastructure gurus heartily endorse the IPGL vision—saying it will “help create trading routes which are shielded from international geopolitical risk."

The main takeaway: If only EY India gurus and Indian babus were shielded from geopolitical fantasy. (Mint, paywall)

Emmy-winning documentary claims Afghan lives

The context: ‘Retrograde’—a critically acclaimed 2022 documentary—follows the last nine months of the 20-year US presence in Afghanistan. This is right before their hasty and embarrassing withdrawal—which brought the Taliban back to power. The movie won three Emmy awards in 2023 as well as an Edward R Murrow Award for the best feature documentary. You can see the trailer below.

The collateral damage: The film shows the faces of Afghans who helped clear areas of landmines and unexploded weapons for the US military. In 2023, one of these minesweepers—a 21-year-old boy named Omar—was taken by the Taliban:

Omar was blindfolded and arrested. He didn’t return for more than two weeks, at which point he was found bloodied and bruised from beatings and drownings that saw him drift in and out of consciousness.

Before his death. Omar said the following about his ordeal:

They “showed me Retrograde movie and said you have worked with foreign forces and also worked in the movie… They found me through Retrograde movie and are still asking of me from villagers and my family members.”

The fallout: A 2024 Washington Post story of his death prompted Disney+ and Hulu to quietly yank the documentary from their platforms.

What happened now: Omar’s family has sued the producers and distributors—including Disney and National Geographic:

[The lawsuit] accuses the documentary’s producers and distributors of exploiting Omar’s identity for “commercial gain while knowingly placing him in grave danger” and failing to adhere to industry standards regarding the protection of people appearing in documentaries filmed in war zones.

The filmmakers’ defense: Director Matt Heineman and producer Caitlin McNally offered this astonishing, weaselly defence:

They’ve pointed to the U.S. military approving the film for release — a decision that could relate to the potential endangerment of Afghan contractors but not its personnel. “The bottom line is that both the military public affairs officers and the Green Berets approved the final version of the film for release, which included faces of NMRG,” they told the Post.

Yup, why wouldn’t we allow the US military to decide what is best for Afghans in danger. Well, at least the Radio Television Digital News Association didn’t buy that lame excuse—and has rescinded a prestigious journalism award to the documentary, citing the “filmmaking process.”

Point to note: Nine others Afghans whose faces were shown in the documentary are in hiding. One of them tried to flee to Iran after the release of the film but was deported soon after. (Hollywood Reporter)

what caught our eye

business & tech

Cisco joins Google, IBM, and Microsoft in unveiling a new quantum computing chip, speeding up the tech world’s march towards its real-world use.
Cracking the Enigma code? Today’s AI can do it in no time—what was once Turing’s triumph is now just another day at the office for machines.
India’s tightening the screws—new rules now require satcom operators to enable government monitoring and lawful interception.
Blusmart investors are in talks to buy out promoter Anmol Singh Jaggi, aiming to revive the struggling ride-hailing company.
Airtel is teaming up with SpaceX to beam Starlink’s high-speed internet across Africa.
Camera-shy Substackers, rejoice—Substack’s new audio-only livestreams let you go live without going visual.
Fortune has the lowdown on how the Trump family is set to cash in on a $2 billion Middle East crypto deal through their stablecoin.

sports & entertainment

Disney is bringing its magic to Abu Dhabi, announcing plans to open its seventh global theme park resort on Yas Island. But here’s the twist: Miral, the developer behind attractions like Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, is footing the entire bill.
Smokey Robinson has been sued by four former housekeepers who accuse the music legend of repeated sexual assault and harassment.
Donald Trump says letting Russia back into the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the carrot to end the war in Ukraine.
Indian film producers are sounding the alarm—a 100% Trump tariff could spell box office carnage for desi cinema in the US.
Amid airstrikes and airline disruptions, the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals clash in Dharamshala is set to go ahead, with playoff hopes on the line.
Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving the captaincy post vacant. However, he will continue to lead the Indian team in ODIs.
Thanks to Dewald Brevis and Noor Ahmad, CSK squeaked past KKR by just two wickets—ending their own losing streak and leaving the IPL’s defending champions on the brink of elimination.
Paris Saint-Germain will face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final—after a resounding 2-1 win over Arsenal. It will be the first time since 1993 that a French club and an Italian club face each other in the final.

meanwhile, in the world

Thick black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling the cardinals couldn’t agree on a new pope after their first conclave vote.
A £75,000 Russian drone has caused tens of millions in damage to Chornobyl nuclear power plant, according to early expert estimates.
Airstrikes hit Gaza as Israel ramps up plans to displace thousands, deepening the sense of despair among Palestinians.
Syria's president reveals the country has held indirect talks with Israel to ease tensions amid ongoing Israeli strikes in Syria.
Oman brokered a US-Yemen ceasefire as Trump announced the end of the bombing campaign and claimed victory over the Houthis, shifting focus to deal-making. Despite this, the Houthis vowed to keep attacking Israel as the Israeli military said it had downed a drone approaching from the east.
Indian Express has a good read on how women’s sideburns, once a charming feature, are now vanishing acts as cultural pressures push women to remove them with everything from razors to lasers.

meanwhile, in India

Sotheby’s has delayed the auction of the Piprahwa gems after India threatened legal action.

Three things to see

One: Meet Brad Smith—the third person in the world to get a brain chip implant with Elon Musk's Neuralink. He has a disease called Lou Gehrig's disease which causes paralysis. Last week, he shared a YouTube video explaining how the implant “lets him use brain signals to control the mouse on his MacBook Pro to edit the video.” That makes this video the first to be edited with Neuralink or a BCI. Reminder: We did a Big Story on the unethical medical practices of Neuralink. (Science Alert)

Two: Cuttlefish are masters of camouflage as you can see here. Scientists have now found that they are also masters of sign language. Ok, we know they wave at each other—but we don’t know what exactly they are saying: “The most plausible interpretation is that these signs are symbolic and can encrypt a variety of possible meanings depending on the associated behavioral contexts.” See the four distinct types of cuttlefish wave below. Good luck decoding them. (Science Alert)

Three: The hit Korean survival series ‘Squid Game’ just dropped the teaser for its final season. The new episodes will pick up right after Season 2—which put the protagonist Player 456 back into the games. The new season drops on Netflix on June 27. (The Verge)