First Calm Night After Ceasefire, But Drone Intrusions Raise Concerns: Indian Army

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th May: New Delhi, May 12 — The night remained “largely peaceful” across Jammu and Kashmir and areas along the International Border, the Indian Army confirmed Monday morning, marking the first calm night in days after India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement Saturday evening.

The ceasefire followed four days of intense cross-border firing, which escalated after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

According to Army sources, “No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days.” Both countries had agreed to halt all military activities on land, air, and sea effective from 5 pm on Saturday.

However, the fragile truce was tested within hours. Multiple drones were spotted and intercepted in several areas, including Srinagar and parts of Gujarat, raising security concerns.

In a late-night press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of breaching the ceasefire agreement. “Over the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan,” he said at 11:20 pm.

Misri asserted that Indian armed forces are responding “adequately and appropriately” and warned of serious consequences for continued violations. He urged Pakistan to act with “seriousness and responsibility” in upholding the agreement.

“The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation. They have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations along the International Border as well as the Line of Control,” Misri added.

While Sunday night offered a brief respite from hostilities, the repeated drone sightings and ceasefire violations have raised questions about the durability of the latest peace effort between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.