Just hours after India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire to halt military engagements along the Line of Control and the international border, renewed violations and continued hostilities have raised doubts over the sustainability of the truce. On Saturday night, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri urged Pakistan to address repeated border violations and warned that India’s armed forces, maintaining high vigilance, were delivering “appropriate and adequate responses” to any breaches of the understanding.
The situation quickly deteriorated after the announcement. Explosions and sirens were reported in multiple locations including Srinagar and Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, Barmer in Rajasthan, and Kutch in Gujarat. These incidents were accompanied by power blackouts in Punjab cities such as Amritsar, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Barnala, with officials describing the measures as “precautionary.” In Gujarat’s Kutch, State Minister for Home Harsh Sanghavi cited drone sightings as the cause for a complete blackout and urged citizens not to panic.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced concern over the violations, writing on X, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” Such reactions reflect a widespread sense of unease and disbelief in the truce’s credibility.
While the ceasefire was formally described by both nations as a mutual agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed early credit, stating that he would work with India and Pakistan toward resolving the long-standing Kashmir issue. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the leadership of both countries, saying, “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan… Millions of good and innocent people could have died!” He added that he intends to “substantially” boost trade with both nations and to “work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.”
Despite Trump’s framing, India has firmly stated that the ceasefire was a bilateral decision, denying any third-party mediation. However, the U.S. State Department referred to the agreement as a “US-brokered ceasefire,” underscoring the role of diplomatic outreach over the prior 48 hours by top U.S. officials including Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. Rubio revealed that he and Vice President Vance had spoken to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and both countries’ National Security Advisors.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on X that the two nations had agreed to a ceasefire “with immediate effect.” He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace without compromising sovereignty—a pointed reference to India’s earlier airstrikes deep inside Pakistani territory targeting alleged terror bases.
From Delhi’s standpoint, the ceasefire was not just a tactical pause but also a signal of red lines. Indian sources emphasized that any future act of terrorism would be viewed as an act of war. Measures such as suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, previously used as diplomatic leverage, remain in abeyance. India claims it had achieved strategic superiority by defending itself against drone and missile attacks, despite incurring losses among civilians, infrastructure, and military personnel.
On the ground in Jammu province, reporter Arun Sharma noted that the ceasefire understanding appeared to be holding along both the international border and the LoC, with no reported drone activity. Nevertheless, a tense calm prevailed, with many residents voluntarily switching off lights amid lingering fear of attacks.
Further complicating the narrative, India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated that terrorism in any form would not be tolerated. “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he posted on X. His statement was a clear signal that while India may have paused hostilities, it remains ready to respond to provocations.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor posted a poetic yet pointed dig at Pakistan’s reliability, writing in Hindi, “Uski fitrat hai mukar jaane ki… uske vaade par yakeen kaise karu?” or “It’s their nature to turn back on their word. How do I trust their promise?” He used the hashtag “ceasefire violated,” reflecting widespread skepticism in Indian political circles.
Internationally, the ceasefire attracted attention from key global players. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval reportedly held talks with ministers from China, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that State Councillor Wang Yi spoke with Doval and expressed hope that both countries would manage their differences through dialogue. Wang condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that triggered the recent escalation and emphasized China’s support for peace and stability in South Asia. “Peace and stability in the Asian region is hard-won and deserves to be cherished,” said Wang.
The uneasy calm also spread to migrant communities in India. In Gujarat’s Bhuj region, migrant workers scrambled to return to their home states after hearing delayed reports of the ceasefire. Highways echoed scenes reminiscent of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown as workers boarded trucks and buses, fearing further escalation. Patrol units continued enforcing blackout orders into the evening, even as ceasefire news made its slow way to remote villages.
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, fresh shelling was reported within hours of the truce. The Sunderbani and Nowshera sectors saw renewed firing Saturday night, with six casualties, including a JKAS officer and a BSF sub-inspector. Sirens blared in Udhampur, leading to another round of blackouts and panic among civilians. Earlier that day, the BSF destroyed a terrorist launch pad in Pakistan’s Sialkot district, even as Pakistan reportedly targeted civilian areas with artillery and loitering munitions.
The fragile ceasefire now sits precariously between diplomatic optimism and ground-level volatility. With major world powers watching closely and domestic pressures mounting in both India and Pakistan, the coming days will test whether this truce can evolve into lasting peace or merely remain a brief pause in long-standing hostilities.