India-Pak ceasefire: If Pakistan continues to escalate...

Highlights:  Finally, a truce announcement comes after four tense days on the India-Pakistan border, which was triggered by the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22  India's Operation Sindoor on May 7 and continuous retaliation to Pakistan's 'misadventures' killed at least 100 terrorists in the cross-border terrorists The ceasefire puts an end to the most serious military escalation in decades, after the 1999 Kargil War.  But what if Pakistan continues violating the ceasefire? Here is a take on India's response, which will be further clarified after the DGMO's meeting

 

After days of intense conflict, India and Pakistan finally agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Both countries formed an understanding to end any military action across land, air, and sea by 1700 hours (IST) on Saturday. India confirmed to it stating that Pakistan's DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) called India's DGMO for a ceasefire. The DGMOs are set to meet for discussion on May 12, 2025[1]. 

But soon after, India reported drone sightings, followed by a couple of explosions in Jammu & Kashmir. Here's all that happened: 

After ceasefire

Indian officials confirmed drone sightings and explosions on the night of May 10 and then on the morning of May 11, in Jammu & Kashmir, hours after a ceasefire agreement, meeting an understanding to end military action. The Air Defense Systems had to be activated again to bring them down. Several blasts were heard every 15 minutes during the evening hours in Srinagar, causing confusion and alarm in the valley. A drone flying over the Batwara neighborhood (close to the Army facility), Anantnag high ground along with Verinag, Bandipora, and Safapora, and Baramulla town was downed by India's Air Defence System[4]. 

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, took to X, saying, "This is no ceasefire. The Air Defense units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up. What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!"

Not only in J&K, drones were also spotted in Gujarat's Kutch district due to which a complete blackout was imposed there[4]. But there were no reports of shelling in the Line of Control (LOC) region of Kashmir[3]. 

India's response

India has made a very clear stand since the very beginning. Stating that it's a 'war against terrorism', further, 'any act of terror will be considered as a call to war and will be responded to accordingly'. 

A late-night media briefing was held on Saturday by India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, calling upon Pakistan to act with "seriousness and responsibility". Talking about the ceasefire agreement and India's retaliation to Pakistan's violation, Misri added, "An understanding was reached this evening between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan to stop the military action that was going on for the last few days. For the last few hours, this understanding has been violated by Pakistan. The Indian Army is retaliating and dealing with this border intrusion. This extrusion is extremely condemnable, and Pakistan is responsible for it. We believe that Pakistan should understand this situation properly and take appropriate action immediately to stop this intrusion.[2]" 

He added, "The Armed Forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation and have been given strong instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the borders along the International border as well as the Line of Control (LOC).[2]" 

Operation Sindoor not over yet? 

India issues stern warning to Pakistan on violation of the ceasefire, stating firm and clear that a 'fierce and punitive' response will be followed. In a Defence briefing on Sunday, India's DGMO, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, said that a hotline message has already been sent to Pakistan, making our intent clear. He added, "In this regard, I must inform all of you that the Chief of Army Staff has earlier today conducted a security review and has granted full authority to our army commanders for counteractions in the kinetic domain in case of any violation by Pakistan[3]." 

 

Delhi: DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai says, "...We also decided to further speak on the 12th of May, that's tomorrow at 1200 hours to discuss the modalities that would enable the longevity of this understanding. However, disappointingly and must I add, expectedly, it took… pic.twitter.com/qIiumldoQL

— IANS (@ians_india) May 11, 2025

 

Further, it was clarified that there have been no intrusions reported since Sunday night. The attempted ones earlier were dealt with robustly and effectively thwarted[3]. 

Not to forget that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing against Cross-border terrorism with an all-new, afresh approach. 

India's preparedness to Pakistan's attacks

In the briefing,  Air Marshal AK Bharti also provided a detailed insight into Pakistan's attacks from May 7-10, and India's retaliation to each. India's preparedness averted all the damage that could have been, indicating "we are ready but do not want to escalate." Here is all that was revealed during the press briefing, a result announcement of 'Operation Sindoor'[3]: 

India's military bases are operational and completely secure. As much as they can take any threat aimed against the country's security and sovereignty.  The DGMO said that over 35 to 40 armed personnel of the Pakistani Army were killed in these days during artillery and small fire exchanges across the Line of Control (LOC). 11 crucial air bases inside Pakistan were destroyed by India's air strikes, along with further damage to their military capabilities. In retaliation, India's robust air defence system effectively countered aerial threats from Pakistan.   LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) terrorist Abdul Rauf was also killed during Operation Sindoor. India released the names of Pakistani officials who were present at his funeral.  The debris of what appears to be likely PL-15 air-to-air missile (Chinese origin) was shown during the press briefing, which was used to attack India by Pakistan. Turkish-built Songar drones and YIHA, along with a Pakistani Mirage, were shot down successfully by the Indian forces; their wrecked parts were also presented.  

 

#WATCH | Delhi | The Indian military shows the debris of a likely PL-15 air-to-air missile, which is of Chinese origin and was used by Pakistan during the attack on India. The wreckage of the Turkish-origin YIHA and Songar drones that were shot down by India has also been shown pic.twitter.com/kWIaIqnfkQ

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025 India's active maritime force successfully addressed threats from air, surface, as well as sub-surface, providing a comprehensive maritime awareness.  The battle-proven systems stood the test of time, with a spectacular performance of the Aakash system, India's very own defence system. The counteraction also included point-defence weapons, air defence fighter jets, and long-range surface-to-air missile systems.  In another comprehensive briefing, the Indian Armed Forces iterated again that India's fight was and will always be aimed at terrorists and their infrastructures in Pakistan, not against the Army. 

Donald Trump announces 

The ceasefire announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump via a post on Truth Social, declaring, "India and Pakistan agree to full and immediate ceasefire." He claimed that the decision was made after a long night of talks, which was mediated by the United States. The post read-  

 

Soon after, the Government of India announced an immediate ceasefire with Pakistan coming into effect from 1700 hours (IST) on May 10. Here is how the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan reacted: 

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, said on X, "India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the 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." 

While Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishar Dar had to say, "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity." 

Days ago, US Vice President J.D. Vance had stated that India-Pak tensions were "none of their business". And now the claim that the United States was a mediator in leading to a ceasefire. India has maintained that there was a direct call by Pakistan's DGMO to India's DGMO, where it was decided by both sides to stop all firing and military action. But Pakistan was all thanks to the United States, with its PM Shehbaz Sharif thanking Donald Trump "for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region." He appreciated the United States for facilitating the outcome and accepting it. 

While we cannot say it is 'all peace' now, still, at least there is a call for it. And what could have been something more tragic and deadly has stopped for now. India has agreed to the de-escalation, but the Indus Water Treaty shall remain suspended. Rest, whether things get on the same wavelength or not, will be known soon. It is only the first round of talks between India and Pakistan after a long time, there's still a lot more to be put up for discussions...