NEW DELHI: Pakistan shattered a US-mediated ceasefire, effective from 5:00 PM IST, within hours by launching artillery shelling and drone attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a strong Indian response.
The violations, reported along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, triggered explosions in Srinagar and forced blackouts in multiple regions including Gujarat and Punjab.
At 11:00 PM IST, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri issued a statement condemning Pakistan’s actions: “For the last few hours, there have been violations of the understanding arrived at this evening. This is a breach of that understanding. Armed forces are giving adequate response, and we are taking notice of these violations.”
The Border Security Force has also been given full freedom to take measures deemed necessary to respond to the ceasefire violations.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah first raised the alarm on X at 20:53 IST, posting, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” He shared a 44-second video showing streaks of light and blasts, adding, “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.” Indian authorities confirmed that air defence systems engaged Pakistani drones over Srinagar, with additional drone incursions reported in Udhampur, Pathankot, Rajasthan’s Barmer, and Gujarat’s Kutch.
The ceasefire, brokered after US President Donald Trump’s mediation, followed India’s Operation Sindoor, a strike on terror camps in Pakistan in response to the 22 April Pahalgam attack that killed 26.
Media reports coming from Jammu and Kashmir reported that a terrorist attack has been carried out on a military unit in Nagrota near Jammu.