U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he wants India and Pakistan to stop the ongoing violence and offered to help mediate if needed. His comments came a day after India launched “Operation Sindoor” to “target terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).”
“Oh it’s so terrible… I know both very well and I want to see them work it out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “They have gone tit for tat, so hopefully they can stop now. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there.”
Trump made the remarks after attending a swearing-in ceremony for David Perdue, the new U.S. ambassador to China.
Earlier, Trump had said the India-Pakistan conflict has been going on for “many, many decades and centuries,” adding, “It’s a shame… people knew something was going to happen based on the past.”
On Wednesday, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, hitting nine terror camps in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. India said it targeted only terrorist infrastructure, taking care to avoid civilian casualties.
“Indian armed forces displayed their valour, bravery and humanity,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. “The targets we decided were demolished with precision.”
However, Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said 31 people were killed and 57 injured in India’s strikes in PoK and Punjab province. He said India also fired across the Line of Control, causing destruction in civilian areas.
Civilians in Jammu and Kashmir were hit too. Defence sources said 15 people were killed and 43 injured in Pakistani shelling in Poonch and Tangdhar since Tuesday night. Shelling damaged homes and caused panic in border villages.
Three Sikh civilians — Bhai Amrik Singh (a raagi), Bhai Amarjeet Singh and Ranjit Singh — were killed in the shelling on Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal called it an “inhuman attack.” “We demand the martyrs be honoured and the bereaved families be supported,” he said on X.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also condemned the bombing. “Targeting the common people is completely wrong,” he said, offering condolences to the families.
Indian officials said the Pahalgam terror attack was meant to disturb peace in Kashmir. “Victims were killed with headshots at close range in front of their families,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. “Our strikes were measured, responsible, and aimed only at terror infrastructure.”
Operation Sindoor was carried out with precision, according to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who said care was taken to avoid civilian areas.
