The ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has been abruptly overshadowed by renewed hostilities, as Pakistan launched a series of shelling and drone attacks on Indian territory shortly after the deal was announced.
Several border districts, including Barmer in Rajasthan and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, came under targeted fire, raising serious doubts about Pakistan’s commitment to peace.
The violations occurred merely hours after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly praised the ceasefire. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sharif lauded the United States and particularly former President Donald Trump for brokering the deal. He wrote, “We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region.”
Sharif added, “Pakistan appreciates the United States for facilitating this outcome, which we have accepted in the interest of regional peace and stability. We also thank Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their valuable contributions for peace in South Asia.”
“Pakistan believes this marks a new beginning in the resolution of issues that have plagued the region and prevented its journey toward peace, prosperity and stability,” Sharif concluded.
However, moments after his statement, ceasefire violations were reported from multiple locations. Drone strikes targeted Udhampur and Srinagar, while heavy shelling resumed along the border in Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. The timing of the attacks has only intensified suspicions regarding Pakistan’s intentions behind accepting the ceasefire agreement.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to X to condemn the developments. “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up,” he posted. In a follow-up message, he expressed disbelief, writing, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!”
The ceasefire agreement was originally announced by former US President Donald Trump and was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough in light of the rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April. The attack, which killed 26 civilians including women and children at a tourist site, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Ahead of the violation, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had confirmed that the Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had contacted his Indian counterpart to propose the cessation of hostilities. “Pakistan's DGMO called the Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air, and at sea with effect from 17:00 hours Indian Standard Time,” Misri told reporters.
The abrupt reversal of the peace gesture has only reinforced India’s long-standing assertion that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand. The Indian government has not yet issued an official statement following the ceasefire violations, but high-level security meetings have reportedly been convened in New Delhi.
Follow us
