Firings and drone sightings in the border areas — from Srinagar and Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir to Barmer in Rajasthan and Kutch in Gujarat — hours after the announcement to stop firing and military actions, exposes how Pakistan’s intentions and the bilateral trust deficit will continue to test how the ceasefire will endure.
In a late night briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri who announced the ceasefire at 6 pm on Saturday in a press conference, was back to point out the violations by Pakistan. “For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the agreement reached earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan,” he said.
Earlier in the evening, India and Pakistan Saturday agreed to stop firing and military action from 5 pm. “DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) of Pakistan called up DGMO (of India) at 3.35 pm. They agreed that both sides will stop all firing and military action from land, air and sea from 5 pm onwards,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, adding that the DGMOs will talk again at noon on May 12.
However, government sources confirmed that India’s punitive measures against Pakistan including putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack will remain in place. India’s measures announced against Pakistan on April 23 will remain effective, sources said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also posted on X that “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 in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, sources in India said the stoppage of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries. Sources in India also contradicted the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying “There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.”
“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,” Rubio posted on X.
“The Pakistan DGMO initiated the call this afternoon, after which discussions took place and an understanding was reached. There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place,” Indian sources said.
In a post on X, Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrote, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
