Trump Caught Off-Guard After Outbreak Of Fighting Between Pakistan, India

President Donald Trump appeared caught off-guard on Tuesday after being asked about a rapidly escalating conflict between India and Pakistan. During a session with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump responded to a question about the developing crisis by saying, "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."

The situation marks the most intense flare-up between the two nuclear-armed nations since 2019, following a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed. India blamed the Resistance Front (TRF), a group it links to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In retaliation, India initiated "Operation Sindoor," launching missile strikes on nine sites allegedly tied to terrorist groups in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Targets reportedly included Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. India maintained the strikes were precise and aimed strictly at militant infrastructure.

Pakistan condemned the strikes as an "act of war," claiming 26 civilians were killed and 46 others injured. In response, Islamabad said it downed five Indian fighter jets and launched artillery strikes across the Line of Control, leading to additional casualties.

Diplomatic ties have deteriorated swiftly. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and downgraded its diplomatic relationship with Pakistan. Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights, expelling Indian diplomats, and suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement.

Both nations have ramped up military preparedness. India conducted nationwide civil defense drills, while Pakistan placed its armed forces on high alert. Global powers including the U.S., China, and the United Nations have urged restraint.

Trump made his remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Shortly after India launched its strikes, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval reportedly briefed U.S. Secretary of State and Interim National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, according to Newsweek.

India's defense ministry released a statement emphasizing the limited and focused nature of its response: "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."

The ministry added that the strikes came in response to the "barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack," and vowed accountability for those responsible.

Pakistani officials disputed India’s version of events. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo News, "India is claiming it attacked terrorist camps; this is not true, international media can visit the places civilians were targeted."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, "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. 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."