India-Pakistan tensions: India and Pakistan on Saturday announced to have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and cease all military action across land, air, and sea, following four days of military escalation, deadly cross-border drone attacks and missile strikes.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had said that Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan had called the of India at 3:35 pm on Saturday. “It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time today," he had said.
However, barely hours after the announcement, Jammu and Kashmir was shaken by a series of drone sightings followed by explosions, prompting security personnel to engage air defence systems to bring them down. The episodes in Kashmir as well as Jammu province evoked severe concerns of possible violation by Pakistan of the freshly announced truce, officials said.
In a late-night press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri condemned “a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today". “For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding (which was) arrived at earlier this evening," Misri said.
Pakistani forces engaged in gunfire and shelling along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) and tried to strike civilian and army areas using drones. There were reports of mortar shelling and small arms fire from the International Border and LoC in RS Pura, Akhnoor and Nowshera in Rajouri district.
In Srinagar, citizens reported several blasts after dusk, with air defence forces engaging a drone flying over the Batwara neighborhood, close to a strategic Army facility. Officials confirmed that the drone was downed. The blasts, which came about every 15 minutes and were preceded by flares illuminating the dark sky, caused instantaneous alarm and confusion.
Drone activity was reported across the Kashmir Valley and subsequently destroyed by an anti-drone system over Baramulla town in north Kashmir around 8.20 pm. Another drone was reportedly brought down at Anantnag high ground, also in close proximity to an Army installation. Sightings of drones were also reported from Anantnag district’s Verinag and Bandipora, and Safapora.
A chain of explosions was heard throughout Jammu and Udhampur districts late Saturday night after suspected drones from the neighbouring country were seen moving in the area. Air sirens wailed through parts of Jammu city followed by explosions, resulting in temporary power cuts in some areas.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vented his scepticism about the “ceasefire" declaration on social media during the evolving events. “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up," he posted on X, adding, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!"
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner has also issued gudielines and emergency contact numbers for the citizens. “By way of abundant caution, please remain indoors with lights off and move away from windows. Please do not move out on the road, balcony or terrace. Don’t panic. For any clarifications, please get in touch with us on our numbers: 1. Civil control room – 01832226262, 7973867446; 2. Police control room – City 9781130666, Rural 9780003387."
In a late night briefing, Misri said the armed forces have been given a free hand to deal with any further provocations along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC).
Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign ministry in a late night statement falsely accused India of violating the ceasefire agreement. The statement said that its forces have been told “to act with restraint", which according to some observers, showed that the Pakistani Army undermines the Pakistani civilian government.
Tensions between India and Pakistan soared significantly after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had cross-border linkages under Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan has since then attempted to attack a number of military installations and civilian population along India’s northern and western borders. India has said it has responded befittingly.
