India and Pakistan are both claiming victory in the short, sharp confrontation that brought the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war — but analysts say the US intervention that led to a ceasefire gave Islamabad the diplomatic upper hand.
By using missiles to strike air bases and alleged “terrorist infrastructure” deep inside Pakistan, Indian officials said they established a deterrent to any involvement by Islamabad in cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan, which claims to have shot down five Indian fighters last week, insists it scored a “historic victory” over its larger rival in the conflict. In a first, both sides?sent drones deep into each other’s cities.