Tensions Rise as India Accuses Pakistan of Ceasefire Violations
Ceasefire Agreement Under Strain
New Delhi: Just hours after India and Pakistan reached a tentative agreement to halt military actions, tensions escalated as India accused Pakistan of violating the terms of the ceasefire.
During a late-night press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri urged Pakistan to take necessary actions to rectify these breaches and handle the situation with the seriousness it demands.
This statement followed an earlier announcement where Misri confirmed that both nations had agreed to cease all military operations across land, air, and sea effective immediately.
Misri revealed that the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries had come to this understanding during a phone call earlier in the day.
The initial news of the ceasefire was shared by US President Donald Trump via social media, claiming that the discussions were facilitated by the United States.
However, senior government officials clarified that the agreement stemmed from direct negotiations between India and Pakistan, with no preconditions or links to other issues.
In the press conference, Misri stated that Pakistan had breached the agreement, and the Indian armed forces were instructed to respond decisively to any further violations along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
He noted that there had been multiple violations of the ceasefire within hours of the agreement being reached.
Misri emphasized the seriousness of these violations, stating that the armed forces were on high alert and prepared to respond appropriately.
He reiterated the call for Pakistan to take responsible measures to address these breaches.
Earlier in the day, the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan had contacted his Indian counterpart at 3:35 PM IST, leading to the agreement to halt all military actions from 5 PM IST.
Misri confirmed that both sides had been instructed to implement the ceasefire and that the DGMOs would reconvene for discussions at noon on May 12.
Minutes before Misri's briefing, Trump announced the ceasefire on Truth Social, expressing satisfaction with the agreement and congratulating both nations for their decision.
The ceasefire agreement followed a series of military confrontations, particularly after India's Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.
The decision to cease hostilities was influenced by diplomatic efforts from the Group of Seven (G7) and other nations, including the US and Saudi Arabia, urging both sides to de-escalate tensions.
Sources indicated that India's punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following a terror attack in Pahalgam, would remain in effect.
India had announced these measures on April 23, a day after a terror attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
Officials reiterated that terrorism would not be tolerated, affirming India's commitment to addressing the issue.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarified that there were no plans for discussions on any other matters at this time.