Restrained Jubilations as India and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire
Ishtiaq Ahmed
Islamabad: Cautious relief marked both sides as India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following several days of intense cross-border hostilities. The escalation began with India launching airstrikes, missiles, and drone attacks on what it claimed were terrorist bases inside Pakistan.
In the early hours of Saturday, Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, a counter-offensive targeting Indian military installations, reportedly causing significant damage.
Soon after, a full and immediate ceasefire was announced, apparently brokered by the United States. US President Donald Trump, characteristically swift to comment, posted on social media:
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister later confirmed that the ceasefire deal involved diplomatic engagement from over three dozen countries, emphasising the complexity and urgency of the negotiations.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/operation-bunyan-um-marsus-pakistans-new-doctrine/
Both nations appeared visibly relieved after days of heightened military activity, political brinkmanship, and vitriolic rhetoric following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Earlier in the week, Pakistan claimed to have grounded five Indian warplanes.
India, in turn, escalated the conflict by using drones to strike deep within Pakistani territory. Major cities across Pakistan, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Chakwal, were targeted, in what appeared to be a calculated demonstration of India’s strike capabilities.
Under intense public pressure, Pakistan’s military leadership deliberated carefully before launching a response on Saturday. The delayed counteroffensive was seen as an effort to maintain regional credibility while avoiding full-scale war.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions remain high. Reports of loud explosions in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, emerged hours after the agreement. Political leaders on both sides are declaring victory while simultaneously accusing each other of ceasefire violations.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated: “There have been repeated violations of the understanding we reached earlier. This is a breach of the agreement.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry responded: “Pakistan remains committed to the faithful implementation of the ceasefire, despite violations being committed by India in some areas. Our forces are acting with restraint and responsibility. We urge continued communication at appropriate levels to resolve these issues.”
This recent flare-up marks the worst military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in decades.
While the ceasefire is a welcome development, it has not yet addressed the broader diplomatic and humanitarian concerns. One major unresolved issue is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains in limbo. How both governments navigate this will be a litmus test for India’s commitment to restoring functional relations with Pakistan.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/the-indus-water-treaty-equation/
The Kashmir issue remains the Achilles’ heel of bilateral relations between the two nations. India’s prolonged occupation of Kashmir and reported human rights abuses have fostered resentment and created conditions ripe for violent reprisals such as the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan argues that India’s harsh policies in the region are ultimately responsible for fuelling extremism.
Blaming Pakistan for every such incident, they say, is a diversion from the grim realities on ground of planned ethnic cleansing and systematic suppression of Kashmiri voices.
Pakistan has accused Prime Minister Modi’s government of using the Pahalgam attack to distract from its domestic crisis and waning popularity. While this may seem speculative, it cannot be entirely ruled out.
India’s disproportionate military response may have had strategic motives: to consolidate its control over Kashmir, to legitimise its hard-line policies, and, perhaps, to test Pakistan’s resolve.
Emboldened by global precedents such as Russia’s approach to Ukraine and Israel’s military operations in Palestine. Modi’s government, critics argue, is increasingly modelling its Kashmir strategy on the Israeli template.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/the-new-face-of-war-between-india-pakistan/
While the ceasefire has paused open hostilities, the situation remains fragile. Continued mutual accusations threaten to unravel progress made through international mediation. A key question remains: will the ceasefire evolve into a longer-term peace framework or will it merely serve as a temporary pause?
Both countries must confront a difficult reality: terrorist elements and hard-line organisations exist on both sides of the border and are sometimes manipulated for political gains. Unless both governments commit to curbing these groups and engaging in sincere dialogue, they risk being held hostage by extremism and domestic pressures.
Rather than scoring political points, it would be far more prudent for the leadership of India and Pakistan to cooperate in eradicating terrorism and fostering mutual development. Only then can the two nations hope for sustainable peace and progress.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.
