An uneasy ceasefire, with precautions in place
After three days of hostilities, India and Pakistan reached an “understanding” to stop all “military action” yesterday (10 May), effective 5 p.m. IST, as both countries announced yesterday — as did US president Donald Trump.
India's official statement was categorical that this "understanding" was a result of bilateral talks, with no third-party involvement, contrary to the POTUS' claims.
Also, while Washington indicated upcoming India–Pakistan talks on wider issues, India denied this. We also noted that decisions such as the abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty stay in place until further talks on 12 May, Monday.
However, within a couple of hours of the ceasefire deadline, with withdrawal of blackout orders in India and full opening of airspace by, there were reports of drone incursions along the border, in particular Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, resulting in reestablishment of precautionary orders.
The defence ministry in a late-night press briefing: “We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to stop these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility.”
Jairam Ramesh reiterates call for all-party meeting on behalf of Congress, Opposition
"The Indian National Congress reiterates its demand for an all- party meet chaired by the PM and for a special session of Parliament for a full discussion on Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announcements made from Washington DC first and then subsequently by the Governments of India and Pakistan," posted the Congress general secretary (in-charge, communications).
He noted that the Opposition would also like to ask a few questions — and responded to the proliferation of social media posts comparing prior leaders such as Manmohan Singh and Indira Gandhi to say "Finally, the Indian National Congress believes it is but natural for the country to recall Indira Gandhi for her extraordinarily courageous and resolute leadership in 1971," that being the year when India was at war with Pakistan, a war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and the cessation of East Pakistan.
Amritsar, which saw withdrawal and reimposition of blackout last night as well as a power outage, was seen to bustle by morning with people gathering for Sunday morning tea on the streetside, per usual — perhaps more eagerly than usual in light of the ceasefire, in solidarity.
Amritsar assembles in the streets for its early morning chai after a blackout night Delhi Airport running smoothly but allow extra time for security checks
Delhi airport authorities on Sunday said operations are normal — but some flights and the processing time at security checkpoints might be impacted due to the changing airspace dynamics and enhanced security protocols.
Enhanced security measures that were implemented in view of the tensions between India and Pakistan are still in place at airports.
"The ceasefire between India and Pakistan is not just an agreement... it’s a fragile hope, a step toward healing wounds that have festered for generations," says PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
"There are warmongers and detractors who thrive on conflict, those who fear peace more than war. But let compassion rise above hatred and wisdom silence the drums of war," she continued. "May this ceasefire be the beginning of a future where peace is not the exception but the norm."
Trump says he takes pride in India and Pakistan's "strong leadership", God bless them — and promises to "increase trade""I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have lead to to the death and destruction of so many, and so much," POTUS Donald Trump has posted on his Truth Social platform.
"Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions," added.
"I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision," he reiterated, and added, "While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations."
"Additionally,", he said, "I will work with you both to see if, after a 'thousand years,' a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir."
"God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!" he signed off.
Shops still closed in Jammu, but people bravely venture out of their homesCommuters were seen on the streets of Jammu this Sunday morning, though shops remain closed in Raghunath Bazaar the morning after a "full ceasefire" was announced by both India and Pakistan — and despite yesterday night's drones shot down over Srinagar and elsewhere near the LoC and international borders.
Unlike yesterday (10 May) morning, no cross-border incursions have been reported thus far
Shops still shut in Raghunath Bazaar, Jammu, though a few people are out and about Baglihar Dam gates opened
A PTI video shared on X shows several gates of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab river open this morning. The dam, sited at Reasi, also affects flow of water in the Indus system into Pakistan.
Yesterday, India had reiterated in its ceasefire agreement that the Indus Water Treaty remained in abeyance until further talks (expected to take place on 12 May, Monday).
The last week as well. However the Salal sluice gates had been closed during Operation Sindoor.
Agniveer M. Murali Naik was martyed during Operation Sindoor. He hailed from Kalli Thanda in Andhra Pradesh.
Joining the Army in 2022, the only son of his parents, he was stationed on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma yesterday (10 May) offered condolences on the death of Surendra Singh Moga, from Jhunjhunu.
The soldier was killed by a fragment from a Pakistani drone that had been successfully intercepted by the Army Air Defence — but broke apart into pieces, one of which critically wounded Moga, resulting in his death later.
The drone was intercepted early yesterday.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has spoken with India's national security advisory Ajit Doval to express his hope that New Delhi and Islamabad would address their differences through dialogue and achieve a lasting ceasefire.
Doval has told China that war was not India's choice, but India needed to take counter-terrorism action after the Pahalgam attack, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Wang also condemned the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which had cross-border linkages and triggered the worst fighting between India and Pakistan in years.
Wang has also spoken to Pakistan's deputy prime minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, per the Xinhua reports.
Wang said China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and meets the common aspiration of the international community.
He added that China opposes all forms of terrorism.
Noting that the world is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, Wang said peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished. India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away and they are both neighbours of China, he noted.
Doval in turn underlined the serious casualties on the Indian side and the need for its counter-terrorism actions. Agreeing that war is not in the interest of either side, Doval hoped that both India and Pakistan could remain committed to the ceasefire.
Wang said China believes that Pakistan will make decisions in line with its fundamental and long-term interests too.
Reportedly, in conversation with Dar, Wang said China supports Pakistan's continued 'firm' counterterrorism efforts.
