India Pakistan Ceasefire on the Brink: Fragile Hope Amid Explosions, Betrayal, and Global Fear

India Pakistan Ceasefire: A Fragile Truce on the Edge of Collapse

New Delhi, May 11, 2025 — In a dramatic turn after four days of escalating hostilities, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, halting military operations across land, air, and sea. The fragile truce, effective from 5:00 PM IST, was secured through a high-stakes phone call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. The first call for a truce was requested by Pakistan, and India agreed to it after several hours and on conditions. But even before the ink could metaphorically dry, the peace was rattled by reported Pakistani drone incursions in Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat, raising fears that the ceasefire could unravel as quickly as it was forged.

Prelude to the Brink: Terror, Retaliation, and Escalation

The roots of this confrontation trace back to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people, most of them Hindu tourists. In swift retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, accusing Pakistan of orchestrating the assault through proxies — a charge Islamabad, considered a haven for global enlisted terrorists and their terror camps, flatly denied as it used to do it.

On May 7, India struck back with precision airstrikes on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), targeting terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed hideouts. The situation escalated sharply on May 10, when the Indian Air Force deployed BrahMos-A cruise missiles to target five critical Pakistan Air Force bases — Chaklala, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari, and Skardu. The unprecedented use of BrahMos in combat, along with precision strikes using HAMMER and SCALP missiles on radar facilities at Pasrur and Sialkot, demonstrated India’s intent to raise the cost of cross-border terrorism.

In retaliation, Pakistan unleashed Operation Bunyan Marsoos, launching a barrage of drones, missiles, and artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC). The crossfire left over 60 people dead, including civilians, pushing the subcontinent perilously close to a full-blown war between two nuclear-armed nations.

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India Pakistan Ceasefire Brokered in Crisis

As the spectre of nuclear escalation loomed, Indian intelligence noted unusual activity around Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division in Rawalpindi, sparking concerns about Islamabad’s next move. Under mounting pressure, Pakistan turned to Washington.

U.S. officials, already working backchannels with both sides, advised immediate de-escalation. At 3:35 PM IST on May 10, Pakistan’s DGMO, Major General Kashif Abdullah, placed a call to his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, proposing a ceasefire. India agreed, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the deal in a press briefing later that day.

U.S. President Donald Trump quickly hailed the development, claiming America played a central role in brokering India Pakistan ceasefire — a statement India subtly countered by emphasising the ceasefire was initiated directly by Pakistan without preconditions.

India Pakistan Ceasefire in Question: Violations and Recriminations

India Pakistan ceasefire- Peace was short-lived. Just hours after the ceasefire took effect, Pakistani drones breached Indian airspace over Srinagar, Jammu, and Gujarat’s Kutch district. The night sky lit up with air defence fire and explosions, triggering blackouts across several border areas.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced alarm on social media, posting on X: “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!”

What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 10, 2025

Foreign Secretary Misri condemned the incursions, accusing Pakistan of “blatant violations” and warning of a “measured but firm response” by Indian armed forces. Islamabad, however, denied any breach, accusing India instead of provocation and reaffirming that its military was acting with “restraint and responsibility.”

India’s Calculated Resolve, Pakistan’s Diplomatic Push

India remains unwavering in its posture post India Pakistan ceasefire. Officials ruled out formal negotiations beyond military channels, signalling a readiness to escalate further if provoked. Strategic analysts highlight that India’s post-Pahalgam steps — from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty to revoking Pakistani visa access — mark a decisive shift in its national security doctrine.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the ceasefire but lashed out at India, accusing it of targeting civilian areas and religious sites. He urged dialogue on Kashmir and water-sharing, revealing Pakistan’s increasing reliance on international mediation to offset India’s regional dominance.

World Watches, Kashmir Waits

Global powers, including the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia, welcomed the India Pakistan ceasefire but cautioned both nations to avoid further escalation. On the ground in Kashmir, reactions were mixed — a blend of tentative relief and deep anxiety.

A Delicate Peace, a Dangerous Road Ahead

The India Pakistan ceasefire’s future hinges on a review during the next DGMO hotline call on May 12. But with ongoing tensions, accusations, and the spectre of terror unresolved, the truce teeters on a knife’s edge. India’s clear message is that it will no longer treat terrorism as a low-cost tactic — any attack will now carry the weight of war.

As South Asia’s most volatile fault line threatens to crack again, the world watches with bated breath, hoping this uneasy pause in hostilities doesn’t collapse into another chapter of conflict.