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India launched airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir after a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir killed 26 Hindu tourists, sparking the worst military clash in decades. Pakistan called it an "act of war" and claimed to have downed five Indian jets.
India launched airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday in response to a deadly attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 Hindu tourists. The operation, dubbed "Operation Sindoor", targeted what India claimed were terror camps linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indian officials said nine sites used for recruitment and weapons storage were hit with precision weapons to minimize civilian harm.
Pakistan, calling the strikes a "blatant act of war", reported that six civilian areas were targeted, killing 26 people and injuring 46. Pakistan also claimed to have downed five Indian jets, though India has not confirmed this. Local sources in Indian Kashmir reported three crashed jets and hospitalized pilots. Shelling continued across the de facto border in Kashmir.
The conflict disrupted regional air travel and led to school closures and states of emergency in affected areas. Markets in both countries dipped initially but partially recovered. U.N. officials arrived in Pakistani Kashmir to investigate, while world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, and officials from China and Russia urged restraint and dialogue.
This marks the most severe confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in over 20 years, raising fears of further escalation. Analysts warned the scale of India's operation could provoke a strong Pakistani response, potentially pushing the region into deeper crisis.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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