Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised serious concerns on Friday about the status of the recently declared ceasefire, following reports of explosions and air defence activity in Srinagar.
The chief minister took to social media, stating, "This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up."
In another post, Abdullah wrote, "What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!"
The developments came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial meeting at his residence in Delhi, which included key officials such as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan. The meeting also saw the participation of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
During the meeting, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to halt all military actions across land, air, and sea. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar later took to social media to reaffirm India’s commitment to its stance on terrorism, saying, “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on 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.”
Foreign Secretary Misri also addressed the ceasefire agreement, confirming that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had contacted his Indian counterpart earlier in the day. Misri explained, “It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time.” He further added that instructions had been issued to enforce the ceasefire and that the DGMOs would meet again on May 12.
Misri also commented on the ongoing tensions, describing Pakistan's actions as "escalatory" and "provocative." He emphasized that India’s responses to these provocations had been measured and effective.
The escalation began after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people. India retaliated by targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which led to a series of escalations, including artillery fire and drone attacks by Pakistan.