Srinagar: It was merely few hours ago that the announcement for ceasefire was announced between India and Pakistan and soon the fragile hope for peace was brutally shattered as within hours of the truce confirmation, Pakistan allegedly launched a series of aggressive drone attacks and initiated artillery shelling across J&K , extending its reach into parts of Punjab and Rajasthan.
India launched retaliatory strikes targeting key Pakistani cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. The operation reportedly involved air-to-surface missiles and drones, hitting three significant military air bases within Pakistan. Additionally, Indian forces targeted army positions in Sialkot and Narowal, demonstrating a decisive response to the escalating border tensions.
Pakistan apparently launched the drone attack at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk in Kashmir.
#BREAKING: Pakistan launches drone attack near Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/7LJ0JQqcGd
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) May 10, 2025
Multiple explosions rocked Srinagar, prompting the immediate imposition of a red alert and a city-wide blackout. Similar blackouts were enforced in Baramulla and Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, indicating the widespread nature of the aerial threat. A drone was reportedly shot down in Pokhran, Rajasthan, and another in Baramulla, underscoring the reach and audacity of the alleged Pakistani incursion.
The Pakistan Army also reportedly resorted to artillery shelling along the International Border in the Akhnoor, Rajouri, and RS Pura sectors. Ceasefire violations were further reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Palanwalla sector of Jammu, demonstrating a multi-pronged assault across both the IB and the LoC.
The timing of the alleged violations is particularly shocking, occurring mere hours after India announced a ceasefire agreement had been reached following truce talks initiated by Islamabad. The Pakistan government had also confirmed the agreement shortly, thereafter, leading to initial optimism for a de-escalation of tensions that had been simmering since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdulla expressed his outrage and disbelief on social media. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” he tweeted, followed by, “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up,” accompanying his statement with a video purportedly showing the drone attack. His words echoed the sentiment of disbelief and anger rippling through the region. “This is no ceasefire,” he stated unequivocally, highlighting the stark contrast between the announced truce and the unfolding reality.
The drone activity was not limited to J&K. Sightings were also reported in several districts of Punjab, including Gurudaspur, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, and Faridkot. Authorities in Jalandhar and Ludhiana swiftly urged residents to remain indoors and implemented voluntary blackouts as a precautionary measure, emphasizing the seriousness of the evolving security situation. The Jalandhar administration issued a direct appeal, stating, “In view of the change in circumstances, all members of the public are sincerely requested to stay indoors and must go for a voluntary blackout wherever is possible.”
In response to the escalating situation, the Border Security Force (BSF) has been directed to retaliate with full force to any further ceasefire violations, according to highly placed sources. This directive signals a firm stance from the Indian security establishment, indicating a willingness to defend the border and the Union Territory against the alleged aggression.
The aerial incursions also extended to other sensitive areas. Drones were reportedly sighted in Rajouri, and an air raid siren was heard in the Samba district of the Jammu region, further amplifying the sense of crisis and uncertainty. The sighting of aerial activity and the subsequent blackout in Katra, a major pilgrimage hub, raises concerns about the potential targeting of civilian areas and religious sites.
A complete blackout has been enforced in Pathankot and Ferozepur in Punjab and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan. India and Pakistan on Saturday worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted in a post on X that India will continue its firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism.
“India and Pakistan had 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,” he said.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart on Saturday afternoon.
“Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. 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 said.”
Today, instructions were given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours,” he added.
At a joint press conference earlier in the morning, Misri emphasised that the actions being undertaken by Pakistan against India are “escalatory” and “provocative” in nature and are being responded to effectively.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in reply to the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The terror attack had killed 26 people. India had struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan sought to up the ante with a series of unprovoked escalations using artillery guns and drones. (With Inputs from ANI)
