Both India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire late Saturday afternoon, which sources said was firmly reached on New Delhi’s terms. This was largely due to the Indian Armed Forces’ decisive retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor over the past few days, which highlighted the nation’s growing military prowess.
After India destroyed eight Pakistani air bases, killed more than 100 high-value terrorists, and seriously damaged Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and military support assets, the cease-fire was declared at 5 PM on Saturday.
Importantly, the truce was imposed when Pakistan was unable to support further escalation, according to sources, rather than as a result of a negotiated settlement or the intervention of any other party.
“As we have all witnessed, Pakistan has incurred severe and irreparable losses in recent days as a result of its unprovoked attack on our installations. It has been lost in the air as well as on land. Important Pakistani air bases like Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, and Bholari have sustained significant damage. Furthermore, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that the defense of Pakistani airspace was no longer feasible due to the loss of the AD weapon system and radars.
India’s display of might and determination directly led to Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reaching out to his Indian counterpart. Washington explicitly recognized New Delhi’s doctrinal shift, which left Pakistan with little choice but to redefine the framework of engagement by proclaiming that any future act of terror would be considered a “act of war.”
Furthermore, the current announcement, which was made without any conditions, only pertains to the cessation of all military operations and firing. As a result, it has no bearing whatsoever on New Delhi’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), close the Attari Integrated Check Post in Punjab, or terminate the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.
Only after gaining a position of superiority did India agree to end hostilities. The agreement, which was reached after a direct discussion at the DGMO level, is only applicable to stopping military operations on land, in the air, and at sea. According to reports, no political-level discussions were included in this particular ceasefire mechanism, and no larger discussion or topic was brought up or decided upon during the initial engagement.
Nonetheless, there was diplomatic activity on the international scene. Notably, US Vice President and Secretary of State Vance disclosed that Washington had engaged in extensive talks with top officials on both sides, including Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. The United States acknowledged that it had urged moderation and, more importantly, exerted pressure on Pakistan to defuse the situation.
India has changed the strategic equation and demonstrated that it no longer accepts terrorism as a geographical cost with Operation Sindoor. It establishes the rules of engagement, retaliates precisely, and only demands de-escalation after demonstrating deterrence. This ‘ceasefire’ is a declaration of control, not a truce.
Following an agreement between the two nations to halt military action and firing, EAM Jaishankar stated: “India has continuously maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” It will keep doing so.
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