The Short-Lived Peace Agreement

In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire agreement with India just hours after both nations agreed to a truce mediated by the United States. What was supposed to be a moment of de-escalation in one of the most concerning military standoffs between the nuclear-armed neighbors in recent years quickly devolved into renewed hostilities.

Earlier on May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following “a long night of talks” mediated by the United States. The deal was confirmed by multiple officials, including Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action,” Jaishankar confirmed in a post on social media platform X. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that both countries had agreed to “stop all firing and military action from land, air and sea” starting at 5 p.m. local time. 

The Violation

However, the peace was short-lived. Within hours of the agreement, Pakistan launched artillery shelling and drone activity along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) at multiple locations. The Border Security Force (BSF) was directed to respond with “full force” to any ceasefire violations, according to Indian sources.

Multiple blasts were heard in Srinagar, prompting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to express his shock on social media: “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” 

The Pakistan Army resorted to artillery shelling along the International Border in the Akhnoor, Rajouri, and RS Pura sectors. Ceasefire violations were also reported along the Line of Control in the Palanwalla sector of Jammu. In Baramulla, a drone was shot down, and suspicious Unmanned Aerial Vehicles were spotted. As a precautionary measure, blackouts were enforced in both Baramulla and Srinagar.

Escalating Casualties

The violations have already resulted in casualties. A sergeant identified as Surendra Kumar was killed in action after three Pakistani missiles hit the Udhampur air base on Saturday morning. BSF Sub-Inspector Md Imteyaz also lost his life during cross-border firing in the RS Pura area of Jammu. With these latest casualties, the death toll on India’s side has risen to 23 since Wednesday. 

Background to the Conflict

The recent escalation began after a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, at a popular tourist site in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu Indian tourists. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the perpetrators, a claim that Islamabad has denied.

In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, conducting targeted strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). During an all-party meeting, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reported that at least 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.

The conflict further escalated when both nations carried out strikes using drones and missiles fired from fighter jets. Before the ceasefire agreement, India had struck eight military sites in Pakistan, including radar units and ammunition dumps, in response to Pakistan’s attacks on Indian military bases and civilian areas.

International Response

The international community had been actively working to de-escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that he and Vice President JD Vance had engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, to discuss the ceasefire and “to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.”

“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio had said before the violations occurred. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Saudi Arabia and Turkey also played important roles in facilitating the deal.

China had also urged both countries to avoid escalation, while G7 foreign ministers condemned the Pahalgam attack and called for “maximum restraint” from both nations.

India’s Stance

Despite agreeing to the ceasefire, India had made it clear that other measures against Pakistan would remain in place. The visa ban for Pakistani nationals would continue, and the Indus Waters Treaty would remain in abeyance.

During a briefing held by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, Air Commodore Raghu Nair stated that though India had agreed to a ceasefire, the country remained “fully prepared” to defend its sovereignty.

India has also decided that any future act of terror will be considered an “Act of War” against India and will be responded to accordingly, signaling a hardened stance on cross-border terrorism.

Current Security Measures

In response to the renewed hostilities, India has implemented several security measures:

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that 32 airports will be closed until May 15 for all civil flight operations.
• Blackouts have been enforced in several border districts, including Barmer in Rajasthan and various locations in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Security has been heightened near strategic locations, including the Ambala district airport in Haryana.
• The Ministry of Defence created a WhatsApp channel to provide accurate information and counter misinformation.

Looking Ahead

As tensions continue to simmer, the international community watches closely, hoping for a return to the ceasefire agreement. The fragility of the peace deal highlights the complex nature of India-Pakistan relations and the challenges in establishing lasting stability in the region.

Omar Abdullah, while welcoming the initial ceasefire, noted that “if it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost.” Now, with the truce already broken, the path forward remains uncertain.

Both nations are scheduled to hold another briefing on May 12, potentially offering an opportunity to salvage the ceasefire agreement. However, with Pakistan’s immediate violations and India’s firm stance against terrorism, achieving lasting peace requires more than just diplomatic agreements—it demands a fundamental shift in approach to cross-border relations and security concerns.

As civilians on both sides hope for an end to the conflict, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over hostility in this long-standing regional rivalry.