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Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan foreign ministry says ‘committed, faithful' to holding ceasefire with India
Pakistan's foreign ministry on Friday said the ceasefire understanding with India continues to remain intact, asserting that Islamabad is committed and faithful to holding the agreement with New Delhi, Reuters reported. India and Pakistan had agreed on the cessation of all military actions against each other on land, air, and sea on May 10 after four days of intense cross-border fighting following Operation Sindoor. The understanding was reached after Pakistan's director general of military operations (DGMO) Major General Kashif Abdullah reached out to his Indian counterpart, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, for a ceasefire. Pakistan's statement comes just days after the Indian Army said that the understanding to cease military hostilities is open-ended and does not have "an expiry date" at the moment, HT reported. With this, India rejected reports from Pakistan that the truce was extended to May 18. 'As far as continuation of break in hostilities is concerned, as decided in DGMOs (directors general of military operations) interaction of May 12, there is no expiry date to it,' the army said in a brief statement. On May 15, the Indian Army said that it will push "confidence-building measures" (CBMs) along the border with Pakistan "to reduce the alertness level" there. Last week, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh warned Islamabad, saying that it was currently "on probation" under the May 10 understanding. He said, "If the behaviour improves, it is fine; but if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given." The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, carrying out precision strikes on nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These terror camps were linked to outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. In this operation, which was launched as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, more than 100 terrorists were killed. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to launch a military retaliation against India, resorting to cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir, and use of drones, unarmed aerial vehicles, over the valley and border regions in India. However, India's air defence systems and the armed forces thwarted these attack attempts by Pakistan. After four days, the two nuclear-armed neighbours agreed to stop all military actions against each other. Soon after, India clarified that the cessation of military hostilities does not imply the revocation of the punitive measures imposed against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
There's no ‘expiry date' for pause in military hostilities: Army on Pakistan
File photo NEW DELHI: The understanding with Pakistan to cease cross-border military hostilities does not have an 'expiry date', Indian Army said on Sunday, rejecting reports from Islamabad that the 'ceasefire' was being extended periodically. India has made it clear that the ongoing truce, which came into effect at 5 pm on May 10 after India's deep precision strikes on nine Pakistani airbases as well as a few radar sites earlier that day, is conditional and depends on Islamabad's behaviour. The Indian Army also said that no further talks were scheduled between its DGMO Lt-General Rajiv Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart, Major General Kashif Abdullah. India continues to stress there's only a pause in Operation Sindoor Stressing that India has kept Pakistan 'on probation' to ascertain whether it ceases cross-border terror, defence minister Rajnath Singh had said on Friday, 'If Pakistan's behaviour improves, it is fine. But if there is any disturbance, harshest punishment will be given.' 'As far as continuation of the break in hostilities is concerned, as decided in the interaction between the DGMOs of May 12, there is no expiry date to it,' the Army added, in a brief statement on Sunday. The two countries have decided to continue their confidence building measures to gradually reduce the high alertness levels between the rival militaries ranged against each other all along the western front. 'This is being done to ensure neither side fires or initiates any aggressive and inimical action,' an official said. On May 10, the two sides had also agreed to 'consider immediate measures' to ensure troop reduction along the Line of Control as well as the international boundary. India, however, has repeatedly stressed that there is only a 'pause' in Operation Sindoor, with the armed forces maintaining full operational readiness to respond to any misadventure from Pakistan. 'Our actions were just a trailer, and if need be, we will show the full picture. Attacking and eliminating terrorism is the new normal of New India,' the defence minister had said at the Bhuj air force station on Friday.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Ceasefire' extended till Sunday, claims Pak; no word from India yet
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Thursday decided to continue their confidence building measures (CBMs) to gradually reduce the high alertness levels between the rival militaries ranged against each other on the as well as the international boundary on the western front. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After Indian director-general of military operations Lt General Rajiv Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah reached the understanding on May 10 to cease cross-border hostilities , the CBMs are being strengthened to ensure neither side 'fires or initiates any aggressive and inimical action', an officer said. Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar told the media that the Pakistan Army had agreed to extend the ceasefire with India till Sunday during a phone call between the two DGMOs on Thursday. There was, however, no clarification from the on this. India has repeatedly stressed that Operation Sindoor has only been 'paused' and the armed forces are maintaining full operational readiness to respond to any misadventure from Pakistan. India had earlier asked Pakistan to desist from any further aggressive action along the western front and reduce the number of its troops and heavy weapon systems mobilised in forward locations. Both sides had agreed to consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas during the May 10 understanding. After the Pahalgam massacre, Pakistan has moved several reserve Army formations, tanks and Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled 155mm howitzers closer to LoC and IB. India, of course, had made 'mirror deployments' of its forces, as reported by TOI earlier.
Gulf Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Pakistan, India to ‘reduce' troop deployment
While agreeing to uphold the ceasefire reached last week, Pakistani and Indian senior military officials have agreed to reduce troop deployments along the international border, following days of hostilities between the two countries that had raised fears of a wider conflict, said a report. It said that the delay in holding the meeting was attributed by some sources to a difference over the agenda of the discussion. The two officers — Pakistan's Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah and India's Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai — discussed measures to reinforce their mutual commitment not to fire or engage in any aggressive or inimical actions, according to Indian authorities. There was no official statement released by the Pakistan Army regarding the meeting. In addition to reaffirming the ceasefire, the two sides reportedly agreed to pursue immediate steps to reduce troop presence along the borders and forward areas, which is seen as a significant move amid fragile calm after a four-day flare-up from May 7 to May 10. Pakistani officials described the conversation as the initial round of talks after the ceasefire took effect. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) are expected to have another round of talks in a day or two for further discussions. In peacetime, Pakistan and India typically station border security forces along the international border, while regular army troops remain in nearby cantonments for rapid deployment if needed.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
India, Pakistan DGMOs likely to exchange de-escalation plans today
India and Pakistan are likely to exchange plans on the modalities of de-escalation of troops deployed along the borders by Wednesday, The Indian Express has learnt. This includes moving soldiers and equipment and platforms, which were deployed amid Operation Sindoor, from the forward defences of both sides to their pre-April locations. Sources in the government said this proposal featured in the second round of talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan Monday evening. It is not clear if the next talks will be between the DGMOs or nominated officers from the respective directorates. Putting a stop to any kind of aerial violation was also discussed, as was the exchange of a Border Security Force jawan and a Pakistani Ranger who crossed into each other's territory inadvertently. According to the Army, DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Major General Kashif Abdullah at 5 pm Monday — their second conversation since Saturday when they agreed to stop all military actions — during which it was agreed that both sides would consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas. The Army statement also mentioned that issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed. According to sources, it was discussed that both sides will subsequently adhere to the renewed ceasefire that was agreed to by both sides in 2021, once these points are implemented. On February 25, 2021, the DGMOs of both countries, after discussions over their established hotline, agreed to a strict observance of all agreements, understandings, and a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors, effective from midnight of February 24/25, 2021. This renewed 2021 ceasefire had followed years of heightened tensions and regular ceasefire violations at the LoC. De-escalation will involve pulling back heavy weaponry like artillery guns and reducing troop strength at forward locations. According to the Army, repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan using small arms had begun all along the LoC soon after India promised retaliation after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian side was learnt to have warned Pakistan over conducting unprovoked firing along the LoC. This escalated to heavy artillery firing when India launched Operation Sindoor early May 7 and continued until both sides agreed to stop firing across all domains in the first talks between the DGMOs. While there have been some reports of firing at a small scale in certain areas along the LoC, the Army said Sunday night had largely remained peaceful across J&K and other areas along the International Border. 'No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,' the Army said. However, aerial violations by swarms of small drones continued across various parts of the country, likely for surveillance purposes. On Monday, the Army said a small number of suspected drones' were 'being engaged near Samba in J&K.
