Escalation of India-Pakistan Conflict Similar to 1971 War Era

Reporter Hari Kumar offers a personal reflection on the situation, drawing parallels to past conflicts while highlighting the significant changes in warfare.

As the conflict between India and Pakistan escalates, particularly in the Kashmir region, observers note that the current atmosphere mirrors the tension of the 1971 war, a pivotal moment in the two countries' histories. Hari Kumar, reporting from New Delhi on May 9, 2025, recalls the fear of his childhood — a time punctuated by air raid sirens and blackout drills, now echoed by recent events.

Back in 1971, information flowed through a couple of radio stations where communities would gather to hear updates on military engagements, like aerial combat scenes between fighter jets. Today, the northern frontiers once again see intense activity, with both nations executing strikes using advanced missile systems and drones targeting civilian-populated locales.

This modern conflict is complicated further by a wave of disinformation spread through social media and mass media platforms, obstructing the accurate reporting of events and inciting public anxiety. Kumar, who boasts over three decades of journalistic experience, asserts that the current landscape of misinformation is unprecedented.

Reflecting on the past, Kumar notes how nationalist sentiments fueled grassroots support for military efforts from a predominantly impoverished India back in the '70s. Today, India stands as the world’s fifth-largest economy, showcasing its technological advancements while also increasing the potential for a broader conflict as high-tech weaponry erodes the significance of borders, transforming every region into a battleground.

Hari Kumar's perspective serves as an urgent reminder of the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the evolution of warfare, the role of technology, and the challenging dynamics of information in the present day.