Peace deal struck, but Pakistan violates ‘understanding’ along border

India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so, says External Affairs Minister

After three days of intense military hostilities, India and Pakistan have reached an “understanding” about stopping “military action” and “firing” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Saturday (May 10, 2025).

Official sources asserted that the decision to stop military actions was bilaterally agreed between India and Pakistan and that the initiation of this “understanding” would not affect several recent punitive decisions that India has taken targeting Pakistan after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

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However, cross-border firing was reported at some locations along the International Boundary in Jammu, while explosions were heard in Srinagar.

“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abullah said in a post on X. “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up,” he added in another post.

In a late night brief press meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed that Pakistan had committed “repeated violations” of the ‘understanding’ saying that the Indian armed forces were given instruction to “deal strongly” with the situation.

“We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,” said Mr. Misri who described these violations as a “breach of the understanding”.

Earlier, Mr. 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 in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”

This declaration was followed by an official briefing by Mr. Misri, who informed that the outreach for pausing the firing was made by the Pakistani side on Saturday afternoon.

“The Director-General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director-General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hours [3.35 p.m. IST]. 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 [5 p.m.] today. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to the understanding,” Mr. Misri said.

Speaking to The Hindu, officials indicated that the announcement is at a trial stage as it comes against the backdrop of an intense phase of hostilities and it remains to be seen if the ceasefire holds on the ground.

“The Director-Generals of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours,” Mr. Misri said, indicating that the two sides will review the pause during the meeting on Monday.

A senior official of the External Affairs Ministry clarified that “there is no pre-condition” or “post condition” to the stopping of firing and military action.

“This understanding is not going to affect any of the decisions that we have taken against Pakistan in the past few weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, and most importantly, our stance on terrorism remains uncompromised by Saturday’s bilateral understanding,” said the official, reiterating that India has decided that any future act of terror will be considered an act of war against the country and will be responded to accordingly.

“The message is clear this time that a terror attack like Pahalgam will not go unpunished in future,” the official said.

Also Read | Any future terror act will be considered ‘act of war’ against India: Government sources

India placed the Indus Waters Treaty “in abeyance” on April 23 after the Pahalgam attack. That apart, India revoked 14 types of visas that were issued to Pakistani citizens of different categories, sparing only the diplomatic and long-term visas (LTVs). Extending these measures, India has also frozen imports from Pakistan and nixed postal links.

“These slew of measures, including the suspension of the Kartarpur Corridor remain in place,” the official said.

Earlier, Mr. Misri had accused Pakistan of spreading a disinformation campaign and trying to foment communal discord in India by targeting Sikh holy places in Pakistan as well as in Punjab and Jammu.

Since the beginning of Operation Sindoor on May 7, several international stakeholders have reached out to India and Pakistan calling for de-escalation, but India has officially maintained that the two sides had not severed diplomatic contacts as both countries continued to host each other’s diplomatic missions despite escalating military clashes.

Published - May 10, 2025 06:17 pm IST