By N. C. Bipindra
New Delhi: India, on May 10, 2025, accepted Pakistan‘s request for a ceasefire under Operation Sindoor following a United States backchannel diplomacy to stop military operations of the last four days.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a statement, said the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan called the DGMO of India at 3:35 p.m. India time.
“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 5 p.m. India time today,” Misri said in the statement.
“Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to the understanding. The DGMOs will talk again on May 12, 2025, at 1200 hours,” he said.
US President Donald Trump tweeted that the American establishment conducted overnight talks with both India and Pakistan to agree to a “full and immediate” ceasefire. He congratulated both nations for “using common sense and greater intelligence.”
Later, at a special briefing on Operation Sindoor at 5:30 pm, India’s military representatives announced that both sides had agreed to the ceasefire and that military operations were being stopped.
However, Commodore Ravi R. Nair said an understanding had been reached to stop all military operations in the sea, air, and land. “The Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force have been instructed to adhere to this understanding.”
Commodore Ravi Nair also noted that while Indian armed forces would adhere to the understanding that had been reached, “we remain fully prepared and ever vigilant and committed to defend the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland.”
He said, “Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength, and every future escalation will be met with a decisive response. We remain fully operationally ready to launch whatever operations may be required in defence of our nation.”
In an earlier special briefing at 10:30 am, India had said it had noticed ground troops movement on the Pakistan side with an offensive intent.
India’s military officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, “Pakistan military has been observed to be moving their troops into forward areas, indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation.
“(The) Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness. All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately.”
The two Indian officers said, “The Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military.
They also showed a few images of Indian air force bases in the Punjab and Rajasthan, to debunk Pakistani claims of destroying these air bases and to exhibit the normalcy there.
The two officers also noted that the Pakistani military continued with its provocations, carrying out aggressive actions employing multiple threat vectors along the western border.
Along the international border and the Line of Control, air intrusions and several harassment attacks were also attempted from Srinagar to Naliya at more than 26 locations.
The Indian armed forces successfully neutralised these threats and the majority of the vectors. However, limited damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj.
Pakistan employed UCAV (armed drones), drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter aircraft to target civilian areas and military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to air intrusions using drones and firing of heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control (LoC).
“There were also several high-speed missile attacks noticed subsequently after 0140 hours in the night at several air bases in Punjab,” they said.
India destroys Pakistan’s air bases, military infrastructure
In “a deplorable, cowardly act,” targeting of civilian infrastructure also had taken place where Pakistan attacked the medicare centre and school premises at the air bases of Srinagar, Awantipora, and Udhampur, “yet again displaying irresponsible targeting” of Indian civilian infrastructure.
In a swift and calibrated response, the Indian armed forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets. These included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites, and weapon storage areas.
“Pakistan military targets at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian were engaged using air-launched precision weapons from our fighter aircraft.
“Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base were also targeted using precision munitions. While carrying out these responses, India ensured minimum collateral damage.”
Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system at Adampur, destruction of airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, the BrahMos base at Nagrota, RT gun positions at Dehrangyari and Chandigarh Forward Ammunition Depot, with heavy damages to other military stations being propagated on social media.
“India unequivocally rejects these false narratives being spread by Pakistan.”
Along the Line of Control, Pakistan attempted multiple air intrusions using drones and conducted shelling using heavy-calibre RT guns, targeting civilian infrastructure and killing some civilians.
Heavy exchange of artillery mortars and small-arm fire in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor sectors continued.
“(The) Indian Army has responded effectively and proportionately, causing extensive damage to (the) Pakistan Army.”
The Indian armed forces reiterated their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military.
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