In a dramatic turn of events that gripped the region, recent days witnessed heightened military aggression between India and Pakistan, culminating in a swift and decisive response by the Pakistan Armed Forces. As tensions peaked, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Marsus, a powerful counteroffensive that resulted in the destruction of key Indian defense infrastructure and the downing of five Indian warplanes, including three Rafale fighter jets, which had been touted as a cornerstone of India’s aerial capabilities.
Pakistan’s response, hailed domestically as a display of strength and preparedness, reportedly caught Indian defense systems off-guard. The fallout was significant, with India’s own military sources admitting to unexpected losses, further intensifying the pressure on New Delhi both politically and militarily.
A Ceasefire Brokered by the US
Amid growing international concern over the escalation, the United States stepped in as a mediator, successfully brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. President Donald Trump announced the agreement, stating that both nations had agreed to an “immediate cessation of hostilities”. The ceasefire came as a relief to a region teetering on the brink of full-scale conflict and was welcomed by many global powers urging restraint.
Despite the ceasefire, the aftermath of the conflict is far from settled. The destruction caused during Operation Bunyan Marsus and the ripple effects on diplomatic relations, military planning, and public sentiment remain topics of intense discussion in both countries.
Indian Media in Frenzy, Public in Disbelief
Indian media outlets have been working overtime to cover the developments, with headlines focusing on the ceasefire announcement, the losses sustained, and the broader implications of Pakistan’s retaliatory action. While some media houses tried to downplay the scale of the damage, several defense analysts and journalists acknowledged that India had underestimated Pakistan’s military preparedness.
The ceasefire, although crucial for de-escalation, sparked a wave of anger and disappointment among segments of the Indian public, particularly those expecting a strong show of dominance. Hashtags criticizing the government and military strategy began trending on Indian social media platforms.
Salman Khan Caught in the Crossfire
In a surprising twist to the political and military saga, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan found himself at the center of controversy for a tweet that appeared to express relief over the ceasefire.
The actor took to social media and wrote, “Thank God for the ceasefire.” While the tweet was likely intended as a humanitarian expression—reflecting relief at the avoidance of further bloodshed—it was not received well by certain sections of the Indian population, especially nationalist hardliners and those upset over the military outcome.
Criticism poured in rapidly, accusing Salman Khan of being “unpatriotic” and “insensitive” to India’s military losses. Hashtags calling for a boycott of his films began trending, and public figures questioned his timing and choice of words. Under mounting pressure and relentless trolling, Salman Khan eventually deleted the tweet, but screenshots had already gone viral, locking the incident into public memory.
Mixed Reactions Across Borders
While Salman’s tweet stirred controversy in India, many in Pakistan saw it as a moment of sanity amid chest-thumping and war rhetoric. Several Pakistani social media users praised the actor for prioritizing peace and expressed dismay that a call for de-escalation could be so controversial.
On the international front, leaders and peace organizations welcomed the ceasefire, with the United Nations calling for sustained dialogue and the European Union urging both countries to resolve disputes through diplomatic channels moving forward.
Though the guns have fallen silent—for now—the latest flare-up in Indo-Pak tensions underscores the fragile nature of peace in South Asia. Both countries remain locked in decades-old disputes, and while this episode may have concluded with a ceasefire, the underlying causes remain unresolved.
Moreover, the social media fallout, exemplified by the Salman Khan controversy, highlights how emotionally charged the public discourse has become. In such a volatile environment, even neutral or peace-oriented statements can provoke backlash.
As both nations take stock of the recent conflict and its consequences, the world watches closely, hoping that diplomacy will finally take precedence over warfare—and that voices for peace, regardless of who speaks them, will no longer be drowned out by the noise of conflict.
