India has formally accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement that went into effect at 5 PM on Saturday, mere hours after the accord was reached. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a televised briefing late on Saturday, stated:
“For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening. The armed forces are giving an adequate and appropriate response.”
This latest breach comes amid heightened tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and sparked four days of intense military exchanges between the two countries.
Explosions were reported across Srinagar at around 8:50 PM, with blasts continuing intermittently for at least 40 minutes. Additional shelling was reported from Anantnag and Baramulla, while electricity was cut off across the Kashmir Valley.
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted strongly, writing on social media:
“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar! This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.”
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also raised the matter with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yo, signaling the seriousness with which India views the violations.
Bilateral or Brokered?
While earlier reports and Congress party statements hinted at U.S. involvement in brokering the ceasefire, India has firmly denied third-party mediation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said:
“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action… India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism.”
Misri clarified that the deal was brokered via a direct phone call between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan at 3:35 PM IST, just 90 minutes before the ceasefire was to take effect.
Both sides agreed to halt all military action on land, air, and sea, and are scheduled to hold another round of DGMO-level talks on May 12 at 12 PM IST.
India’s Strategic Shift
According to high-level government sources, India has resolved to treat any future terror attack as an act of war, with a commitment to strong retaliatory action.
This development could significantly reshape the military posture along the Line of Control (LoC) and Indo-Pak diplomatic dynamics in the near future. India’s response mechanisms are now understood to include coordinated multi-theatre retaliation—land, sea, and air—under a broadened definition of provocation.
