A terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, killed 27 people and injured more than 20 others. The event escalated rapidly into cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan, with accusations, drone strikes, and military responses from both nations.
It was the latest clash in a long history. The Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan stems from the 1947 partition of British India. The Muslim-majority region was ruled by a Hindu Maharaja. Facing a Pakistan-backed insurgency, the Maharaja chose to accede to India, triggering the first war between the two nations. That war finished without a clear result. There was a tense ceasefire, and Kashmir was split along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan which is still a reason for conflict today.
We asked our Indian co-workers to share their perspectives on current events.
1. What triggered the latest conflict between India and Pakistan?
It’s hard to tell what stirred the initial attack. However, the response from both governments rapidly turned it into a huge conflict. Why? Was it just propaganda to show who’s the toughest, or did the attack justify a war?
On the Indian side, many consider it as a political stand related to the upcoming elections. India’s anti-Christian government may see benefits in violence as part of their political games running up to these elections. In general, Muslims and Christians live well together in India because they are both minorities. If the government can divide them through conflicts like this, they can more easily rule them.
It’s noteworthy that the Indian military operation was called Operation Sindoor, named after the red vermilion powder, traditionally worn by married Hindu women. Naming the military operation to such a symbol of the Hindu religion is one more way the government seeks to give prominence to Hinduism. The military response might have magnified them as protectors of India.
2. You have mentioned Muslims, Christians and Hindu’s. Are there Christians in both countries? And how are they affected?
Yes, there are Christians on both sides of the line, although, in Pakistan, there are very few Christians—about 2% of the population. Pakistan’s Christian community is also under constant threat of violence and blasphemy accusations. In such a volatile climate, war makes them more vulnerable.
In India, large gatherings are banned as part of the military response, and there are curfews and travel blocks. The night clock doesn’t allow meetings to be held in the evening. These measures hinder church meetings, crusades, and discipleship gatherings, especially in evangelized states near the conflict zone.
However, even prior to the recent war, Christians were threatened. India ranks 11th as the most persecuted country for Christians, according to the 2025 Open Doors Watchlist. Strict anti-conversion laws are increasingly used to crack down on Christians. Attacks against Christians take many forms: physical assaults, disruption of prayer gatherings, vandalized churches, social boycotts in villages, and arrests.
"India ranks 11th as the most persecuted country for Christians, according to the 2025 Open Doors Watchlist."
3. Could this war relate to end-time prophecy?
Yes. Many Christians see the rising number of wars as fulfilling Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:6: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” Like the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, the India–Pakistan situation reminds believers to watch, pray, and prepare.
Derek Prince taught that “wars in the natural often mirror wars in the spiritual.” The Apostle Paul urges us in Ephesians 6:12 to “wrestle not against flesh and blood” but against spiritual powers of darkness.
Derek Prince taught that “wars in the natural often mirror wars in the spiritual.”
4. Can revival continue despite war and persecution?
Absolutely. In fact, persecution is often a catalyst. I believe God is using this crisis for a greater purpose. There are testimonies of revival in Indian states, even as meetings are canceled. In one of our recent teaching seminars in Kerala, we met pastors who had just run a bible Vacation Bible School for children. Anti-Christian political party elements had threatened the church and attempted to shut down its program. This was both surprising and concerning, particularly given Kerala’s Christian heritage and strong religious presence. The church pressed on, with very good results. The gospel was preached and children surrendered to Jesus.
"I believe God is using this crisis for a greater purpose."
Everywhere we come, we hear similar stories. Opposition is real, but revival is happening. God is even using Trump’s presidency as one of His ways to bring revival. The Indian Media speak about many pastors who had been arrested in the state of Uttar Pradesh without proper reason and were released due to pressure from the Trump administration.
5. How should Christians pray at this time?
As Christians, we need to pray for this situation so that God’s purposes can be fulfilled. Please pray:
- For peace on both sides of the border.
- For the ceasefire to hold.
- Against the spirit of confusion and terrorism.
- For the leaders not to serve their political agenda, but to truly serve peace. Derek Prince emphasized our prayer for the government as key for the Church to live in “quietness and godliness.” (See 1 Timothy 2:1–4). God wants good government because it forwards the propagation of the gospel.
- For God’s protection for Christians and boldness in their testimony of Christ.
Related Teaching by Derek Prince:
- "Thy Kingdom come" (sermon on the power of prayer)
