NEW DELHI: Srinagar was jolted by loud explosions on Saturday evening, just hours after India and Pakistan formally agreed to a ceasefire. The sudden blasts prompted Jammu and Kashmir’s chief minister Omar Abdullah to question the truce.
“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” Abdullah posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern over the violation of the agreement.
"This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up," Abdullah added.
Earlier in the day, Abdullah had welcomed the ceasefire and urged the current state administration to move quickly with relief and rehabilitation efforts. “If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost,” he said, referring to the recent flare-up that claimed several lives.
The ceasefire was announced following a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the ceasefire, effective from 5:00 pm IST, covers all military activity — on land, sea, and air. A follow-up meeting between DGMOs is scheduled for May 12.
However, the explosions reported in Srinagar cast a shadow over the agreement’s implementation. The Army has yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India remains firm against terrorism. “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance... It will continue to do so,” he said at a joint briefing with the defence ministry.
The ceasefire followed India’s Operation Sindoor — a retaliatory strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan after the May 2 Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead. Pakistan responded with artillery shelling and drone incursions, escalating tensions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and Pakistan had agreed to open broader peace talks at a neutral venue, commending both Prime Ministers for choosing “the path of peace.”
“What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!” Abdullah posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing concern over the violation of the agreement.
"This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up," Abdullah added.
Earlier in the day, Abdullah had welcomed the ceasefire and urged the current state administration to move quickly with relief and rehabilitation efforts. “If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost,” he said, referring to the recent flare-up that claimed several lives.
The ceasefire was announced following a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the ceasefire, effective from 5:00 pm IST, covers all military activity — on land, sea, and air. A follow-up meeting between DGMOs is scheduled for May 12.
However, the explosions reported in Srinagar cast a shadow over the agreement’s implementation. The Army has yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India remains firm against terrorism. “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance... It will continue to do so,” he said at a joint briefing with the defence ministry.
The ceasefire followed India’s Operation Sindoor — a retaliatory strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan after the May 2 Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead. Pakistan responded with artillery shelling and drone incursions, escalating tensions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and Pakistan had agreed to open broader peace talks at a neutral venue, commending both Prime Ministers for choosing “the path of peace.”
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