The initial thinking was that after India launched air strikes, and with Pakistan claiming to have shot down several Indian jets - a claim Delhi has not confirmed - both sides could claim "victory" and de-escalate.
But there's a danger that any protracted tit-for-tat attacks could lead them to a far more damaging prospect.
Now passions are running high and the nationalist rhetoric has reached a crescendo on both sides. The neighbours are closer to war than in recent decades.
India has already made it clear once and before it carried out first strikes on terrorist camps inside Pakistan, it won't escalate the situation. But as a matter of fact Pakistan had started shelling on the Indian army and civilian areas on border in Kashmir much before India attacked terrorist sites.
I don't understand what Pakistan intended when it already called it a war on them before May 7 strikes by India.
Still by the remarks of Indian officials, I can confirm India doesn't want anymore escalation but if Pakistan attempts any misadventure, India will most probably strike back Pakistan with all its might this time.
Things are definitely not looking good and I also don't think that US would come out meddling in this affair especially when Vance was here in India when the terror struck in Pahalgam.
Today is the day, I can guess, it'll escalate if Pakistan makes another attempt or it'll cool down if Pakistan doesn't. I don't think India is gonna strike them anymore now, not today at least.