NEW DELHIL India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire across all military fronts, land, air, and sea. The agreement came into effect at 5.00pm following a direct conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both countries. A follow-up round of military talks is scheduled for May 12.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives . As part of the operation, forces targeted and struck nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media on the agreement. He confirmed that Pakistan’s DGMO contacted India’s DGMO at 3:35 PM, and both sides agreed to halt all military actions. “Instructions have been given on both sides to implement this understanding,” he said. Misri also stated that further DGMO-level talks would take place on May 12. He later added, “Pakistan’s actions constituted provocation. India responded in a responsible and measured fashion.”
Here are the reactions to the ceasefire announcement:
S Jaishankar : Terrorism stance unchanged
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the ceasefire but reaffirmed India’s firm position on terrorism. “India and Pakistan have 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.
Omar Abdullah: Ceasefire welcome but overdue
Jammu and Kashmir’s chief minister Omar Abdullah said the ceasefire was a step in the right direction but had come too late to save lives. “If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost,” he said. Abdullah also urged the state administration to begin relief work and reopen air services disrupted during the conflict.
"It is now the duty of J-K government to provide relief and compensation to those who have suffered during this period. We have announced compensation for the loss of precious lives. Now we will have to compensate those who have been injured as well," he added.
Siddaramaiah: 'Remain vigilant against terrorism'
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah welcomed the ceasefire but urged caution. “If both India and Pakistan have agreed, that is good. However, we must remain cautious...Even if there is a ceasefire, we must stay focused on countering terrorism ,” he said.
Bhagwant Mann: Punjab to remain alert
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed the ceasefire but stressed the need for vigilance. “We have a good news that ceasefire has been announced, but Punjab will remain vigilant. We will install anti-drone systems on our international border,” he announced during a press briefing in Chandigarh.
Shashi Tharoor: ‘India never wanted a long term war’
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the ceasefire as essential and overdue. Peace is essential...I am very glad. India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted war to teach terrorists a lesson, and that lesson has been taught,” he said.
Jairam Ramesh: Call for all-party meeting
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged Prime Minister Modi to convene an all-party meeting and hold a special parliamentary session. “There is now a need for the PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence,” he wrote on X.
“In view of the unprecedented announcements from Washington DC, there is now a need, more than ever before, for - 1. The PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence 2. A special session of Parliament to discuss the events of the last eighteen days, beginning with the brutal Pahalgam terror attacks and the way forward, and to demonstrate a collective resolve,” the post read.
Kapil Sibal: End terrorist sanctuaries
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal welcomed the ceasefire and emphasised that it must lead to the dismantling of terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
"I welcome the ceasefire and congratulate both sides. Now we won't see the loss of lives of innocent people who have nothing to do with the war...They (Pakistan) must stop this and make sure that these terrorist camps are done away with and they don't become the hotbed of terrorism in this country and as long as that continues, this conflict will continue and a temporary ceasefire will never be permanent," he said.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives . As part of the operation, forces targeted and struck nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media on the agreement. He confirmed that Pakistan’s DGMO contacted India’s DGMO at 3:35 PM, and both sides agreed to halt all military actions. “Instructions have been given on both sides to implement this understanding,” he said. Misri also stated that further DGMO-level talks would take place on May 12. He later added, “Pakistan’s actions constituted provocation. India responded in a responsible and measured fashion.”
Here are the reactions to the ceasefire announcement:
S Jaishankar : Terrorism stance unchanged
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the ceasefire but reaffirmed India’s firm position on terrorism. “India and Pakistan have 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.
Omar Abdullah: Ceasefire welcome but overdue
Jammu and Kashmir’s chief minister Omar Abdullah said the ceasefire was a step in the right direction but had come too late to save lives. “If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost,” he said. Abdullah also urged the state administration to begin relief work and reopen air services disrupted during the conflict.
"It is now the duty of J-K government to provide relief and compensation to those who have suffered during this period. We have announced compensation for the loss of precious lives. Now we will have to compensate those who have been injured as well," he added.
Siddaramaiah: 'Remain vigilant against terrorism'
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah welcomed the ceasefire but urged caution. “If both India and Pakistan have agreed, that is good. However, we must remain cautious...Even if there is a ceasefire, we must stay focused on countering terrorism ,” he said.
Bhagwant Mann: Punjab to remain alert
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed the ceasefire but stressed the need for vigilance. “We have a good news that ceasefire has been announced, but Punjab will remain vigilant. We will install anti-drone systems on our international border,” he announced during a press briefing in Chandigarh.
Shashi Tharoor: ‘India never wanted a long term war’
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the ceasefire as essential and overdue. Peace is essential...I am very glad. India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted war to teach terrorists a lesson, and that lesson has been taught,” he said.
Jairam Ramesh: Call for all-party meeting
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged Prime Minister Modi to convene an all-party meeting and hold a special parliamentary session. “There is now a need for the PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence,” he wrote on X.
“In view of the unprecedented announcements from Washington DC, there is now a need, more than ever before, for - 1. The PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence 2. A special session of Parliament to discuss the events of the last eighteen days, beginning with the brutal Pahalgam terror attacks and the way forward, and to demonstrate a collective resolve,” the post read.
Kapil Sibal: End terrorist sanctuaries
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal welcomed the ceasefire and emphasised that it must lead to the dismantling of terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
"I welcome the ceasefire and congratulate both sides. Now we won't see the loss of lives of innocent people who have nothing to do with the war...They (Pakistan) must stop this and make sure that these terrorist camps are done away with and they don't become the hotbed of terrorism in this country and as long as that continues, this conflict will continue and a temporary ceasefire will never be permanent," he said.
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