87 Hours of Chaos: The India-Pakistan Conflict

In a sudden and intense conflict, India and Pakistan engaged in a multifaceted war lasting just 87 hours. The hostilities began at 1:05 AM on May 7, when the Indian Air Force launched a surprise attack codenamed ‘Operation Sindhur.’ Rafale fighter jets, armed with Storm Shadow missiles and Hammer bombs, targeted nine civilian areas within Pakistan. Simultaneously, India deployed drones to test Pakistan’s air defense systems.

Pakistan swiftly retaliated, deploying J-10C fighter jets and Koral electronic jammers to establish aerial defense. Pakistan claimed to have shot down three Indian Rafale jets and destroyed 12 Indian drones using electronic warfare, anti-aircraft guns, and short-range missiles.

The conflict’s impact extended beyond the skies, hitting the economic sector hard. In just 87 hours and 25 minutes, India’s economic losses soared to approximately $83 billion. The stock markets were severely affected, with Nifty and Sensex losing around $82 billion. The closure of northern India’s airspace resulted in daily losses of $8 million in aviation. The suspension of the IPL led to a financial hit of $50 million. Military expenses added another $100 million, and the loss of fighter jets cost $400 million. Logistics and trade sectors faced losses exceeding $2 billion.

Pakistan’s total estimated losses were around $4 billion. The Karachi Stock Exchange suffered a $2.5 billion drop. The suspension of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) resulted in a $10 million loss. The closure of airspace caused $20 million in losses, and daily military expenses amounted to $25 million, with drone and missile costs reaching $300 million.

This conflict highlighted that modern warfare is not just about bombs, tanks, and fighter jets. It also involves stock market crashes, loss of investor confidence, stagnation in foreign investments, and economic hardship for ordinary people. The staggering economic impact, with losses reaching $1 billion per hour, demonstrated how even a brief conflict can severely disrupt the economies of both nations.