By: Editor Engineer Samim Sarkar, DhakaGate
Published: May 16, 2025, 12:00 PM
Dhaka: The 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, ignited by a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, has once again thrust the subcontinent into the global spotlight. This four-day clash, marked by advanced weaponry and significant losses, is a grim continuation of a rivalry that began with the partition of British India in 1947. As an editor, I aim to dissect this conflict through its weaponry, impacts, voices from celebrities and experts, international media narratives, and historical context. Most crucially, this article estimates the human cost of such wars and explores how redirecting war funds could save lives, specifically by addressing Gaza’s food crisis. Above all, it is a heartfelt call for peace to prevent further suffering and foster a future where humanity thrives over conflict.
Weapons Deployed in the 2025 Conflict
The 2025 conflict showcased the advanced militarization of both India and Pakistan, with costly weapons systems driving the intensity of the clashes. Below is a detailed table of the key weapons used, their estimated costs, ranges, guidance systems, and roles:
Weapon | Estimated Cost (USD) | Range | Guidance System | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Meteor Air-to-Air Missile | ~$2.7 million | 150+ km | Active Radar Homing | Long-range air combat |
MICA Air-to-Air Missile | Unknown, likely high | Up to 80 km | Infrared/Radar | Short-to-medium-range air combat |
SCALP Air-to-Ground Cruise Missile | $1M - $2.5M | 560 km | GPS, Terrain-Following, IR | Long-range precision strikes |
HAMMER AASM | ~$300,000 | 60 km (high alt) | GPS/INS, IR | Close air support, deep strikes |
R-77 Air-to-Air Missile | ~$500,000 (estimated) | 80-100 km | Active Radar Homing | Medium-range air combat |
R-73 Air-to-Air Missile | Unknown, likely lower | Short range | Infrared | Close-range air combat |
Kh-31 Air-to-Ground Missile | Unknown, ~$500K | 110 km | Anti-Radar | Ground target destruction |
BrahMos Air-to-Ground Cruise Missile | $2-3M | 450 km | Inertial, GPS, Active Radar | Supersonic ground/naval strikes |
PL-15 Air-to-Air Missile | Unknown, ~$1-2M | 200 km | Active Radar Homing | Long-range air combat |
HQ-9B Surface-to-Air Missile | Unknown, likely millions | Long range | Radar-Guided | Air defense |
JF-17 Thunder (Aircraft) | $15-20M | 1,500 km | Multi-Role | Fighter jet |
J-10C (Aircraft) | $30-40M | 1,850 km | Multi-Role | Advanced fighter jet |
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These weapons, costing millions per unit, underscore the economic burden of modern warfare, diverting resources that could address pressing humanitarian needs.
Impacts of the 2025 Conflict
The conflict, though brief, left a profound mark on both nations:
- Military Losses: India lost six advanced fighter jets—three Dassault Rafales, one MiG-29, one Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, and one Mirage 2000—downed by Pakistan’s J-10C and JF-17 Thunder aircraft using PL-15 and HQ-9B systems.
- Civilian Casualties: Pakistan reported 31 deaths, including civilians, from Indian missile strikes, highlighting the human toll beyond military targets.
- Infrastructure Damage: India closed 27 airports, canceling over 430 flights, while Pakistan suspended operations at major hubs like Karachi and Lahore, disrupting civilian air travel.
- Economic Fallout: Airport closures and trade suspensions, including Pakistan halting all trade with India, caused significant economic losses.
- International Response: The United States, Russia, and the UAE urged restraint, with the U.S. mediating a ceasefire on May 10, 2025.
- Propaganda War: Both nations disseminated conflicting casualty and damage reports, fueling misinformation.
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Celebrity and War Specialist Perspectives
The conflict drew varied reactions from public figures and experts:
- Celebrity Reactions: Bollywood stars like Karan Johar, Malaika Arora, and Saif Ali Khan voiced support for India’s Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire via Instagram, advocating for peace. Pakistani actor Fawad Khan faced backlash for condemning India’s strikes, with Indian netizens criticizing his silence on the initial terrorist attack.
- War Specialists: Experts warned of nuclear escalation risks, with Reuters noting the high stakes. The Brookings Institution highlighted the conflict’s unpredictability, urging lessons for future prevention. Moeed Yusuf from the Belfer Center credited U.S. mediation for de-escalation.
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International Media Coverage and Cause of the Conflict
Global media provided extensive coverage, framing the conflict within its historical and geopolitical context:
- Media Coverage: Outlets like The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and CNN detailed military actions, civilian impacts, and diplomatic efforts. They emphasized advanced technology use, misinformation, and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10, 2025.
- Cause: The conflict was triggered by a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists. The Resistance Front, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility before retracting. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, escalating tensions.
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Historical Context of India-Pakistan Conflicts
The 2025 conflict is part of a long-standing rivalry since the 1947 partition of British India, driven primarily by the Kashmir dispute:
- 1947-48 First Kashmir War: Triggered by Kashmir’s accession to India, resulting in the Line of Control (LoC). Casualties: ~1,104 Indian soldiers, ~6,000 Pakistani fighters.
- 1965 Second Kashmir War: Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar led to a stalemate. Casualties: ~3,000 Indian, ~3,800 Pakistani soldiers.
- 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War: India’s support for East Pakistan’s independence created Bangladesh. Casualties: ~3,843 Indian, ~9,000 Pakistani soldiers; up to 3 million civilian deaths in East Pakistan.
- 1999 Kargil War: Pakistan’s incursion in Kargil was repelled by India. Casualties: ~527 Indian, ~700+ Pakistani soldiers.
- 2019 Balakot Airstrike: India’s strike on a militant camp followed a Kashmir attack. Casualties: Minimal, one Indian MiG-21 pilot captured and released.
- 2025 Conflict: Sparked by the Pahalgam attack. Casualties: 31 reported by Pakistan, Indian military losses unclear.
Total Estimated Casualties (1947-2025): Over 3 million deaths, including military and civilian losses, with the 1971 war contributing the majority due to civilian genocide in East Pakistan. Excluding 1971’s extreme civilian toll, military and other civilian deaths total approximately 20,000-30,000.
Source: Wikipedia - Indo-Pakistani Wars
Human Cost and Lives Saved Through Peace
The 2025 conflict, while brief, added to the tragic legacy of India-Pakistan clashes, with at least 31 lives lost and potential for more if escalation had continued. Historically, these conflicts have claimed millions, underscoring war’s devastating toll.
To illustrate the opportunity cost of war, consider redirecting the funds spent on a conflict to humanitarian aid, such as feeding people in Gaza, where a severe food crisis persists due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Estimating the cost of the India-Pakistan conflict is complex, but let’s use the cost of the lost Indian aircraft and weapons as a baseline. Six aircraft (three Rafales at $80M each, one Su-30 MKI at ~$50M, one MiG-29 at ~$30M, one Mirage 2000 at ~$40M) total approximately $360 million, plus missiles like Meteor ($2.7M each) and BrahMos (~$2-3M each), conservatively adding another $20 million. Thus, a rough estimate of India’s direct military losses is $380 million. Pakistan’s costs, including J-10C and JF-17 operations and missiles, are less clear but likely in the hundreds of millions, so let’s estimate a combined war cost of $500 million for simplicity.
In Gaza, where food prices are exorbitant due to conflict and blockade (e.g., a 25kg bag of flour costs ~$400), feeding one person a basic diet costs about $10 per day. With $500 million:
- Total person-days fed: $500,000,000 ÷ $10 = 50,000,000 person-days.
- For Gaza’s population (2 million): 50,000,000 ÷ 2,000,000 = 25 days.
- For one year: 50,000,000 ÷ 365 ≈ 137,000 people.
Thus, $500 million could feed Gaza’s entire 2 million people for about 25 days or sustain 137,000 people for a year. If costs were lower (e.g., $2/day per WFP estimates in less extreme conditions), it could feed 2 million for 125 days or 685,000 for a year. This stark contrast highlights how war funds could address Gaza’s hunger crisis, saving countless lives.
Editorial Call for Peace
As an editor, I am compelled to reflect on the futility of war. The 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, like those before it, brought death, destruction, and division. Over 3 million lives have been lost since 1947, with countless others scarred by injury, displacement, and grief. The $500 million spent on this brief clash could have fed millions in Gaza, a region crying out for aid amidst its own conflict.
War is not a solution—it is a tragedy that robs humanity of its potential. By choosing diplomacy over destruction, we can save lives, stabilize economies, and build a future where resources nurture rather than destroy. The voices of celebrities and experts alike echo this plea for peace, urging both nations to break the cycle of violence. Let us honor the memory of those lost by committing to dialogue, understanding, and non-violence. Only then can we ensure that no more lives are sacrificed on the altar of conflict.
Image Suggestions:
- Conflict impacts (e.g., closed airports, military wreckage).
- Weapon visuals (e.g., Rafale jets, BrahMos missiles).
- Historical images (e.g., 1947 partition, 1971 war).
- Gaza food crisis photos to emphasize humanitarian potential.
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