India’s strikes come in retaliation to a militant attack that killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists, in the picturesque resort town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on 22 April. Militants opened fire on people who were visiting Baisaran, a mountain-top meadow three miles (5 km) from Pahalgam.

Many in the region are preparing for a possible military confrontation between India and Pakistan because of a terrorist attack two weeks ago.

Malik Khadim’s lips tremble, his voice chokes and his head dips as he raises a hand to his grief-stricken face. It’s a vain effort to stem the tears gushing down his gaunt and weatherbeaten cheeks.