G7 countries called on India and Pakistan to de-escalate and engage in direct dialogue

India and Pakistan need to de-escalate the conflict and begin direct dialogue for a peaceful settlement. A statement by the G7 foreign ministers was posted on the Japanese Foreign Ministry's website on May 10.

"Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned about the safety of civilians on both sides," the statement said.

It is also noted that the countries of the association will continue to monitor developments and express their support for a quick and lasting diplomatic settlement.

High-voltage round: the conflict between India and Pakistan has entered a combat phase

Izvestia found out whether residents of the most numerous country in the world approve of the decision of their authorities and what the escalation could lead to.

Tammy Bruce, the head of the press service of the US State Department, said on May 8 that the US administration considers the situation caused by the aggravation of relations between India and Pakistan to be very dangerous. Bruce stressed that military actions used to resolve such issues never end, so it is important to prevent them by stopping the violence.

On May 10, Pakistan launched a large-scale military operation Banyan un Marsus ("Solid Wall") against India. As part of the operation, it is planned to strike several Indian strategic targets. Later, Pakistan announced that the Indian Adampur airbase had been destroyed.

On May 9, Reuters reported that explosions were heard in Kashmir and the Indian city of Amritsar in Punjab state. Later, the Government of Pakistan stated that the Indian Armed Forces (AF) carried out several missile strikes on Pakistan's air bases, including Nur Khan, Murid and Shorkot (Rafiki).

Relations between Pakistan and India have been strained since the terrorist attack on April 22 near the Indian city of Pahalgam in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As a result of the incident, 27 civilians were killed. On May 7, the Indian Ministry of Defense announced the start of the Sindoor military operation against Pakistan. According to the Pakistani Samaa TV channel, Islamabad launched retaliatory missile strikes on Indian territory.