Within Minutes Pakistan Violates Ceasefire in Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Blackouts Reimposed in Many Areas
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 10: Within minutes of India and Pakistan announcing ceasefire to end the hostilities between the two countries effective from 5PM on Saturday, Pakistani army violated the ceasefire agreement with gunfire continuing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab borders after the nightfall.
Official sources said the Pakistani Army opened fire in several locations across Srinagar, Udhampur, Rajouri, Akhnoor, Poonch and other places forcing the Indian authorities to reclamp blackouts in several cities and towns in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The sources said the Indian forces were carrying out a proportionate response using similar drones equipped with loitering munitions. At around 9 PM, blackouts were reported from Kathua, Baramulla, Kargil, Srinagar, Firozpur and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab. Sirens were also sounded in several of these cities. Blackouts have been reported also in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. Sources confirmed the presence of drones over Udhampur and Srinagar, prompting activation of anti-drone systems to neutralise Pakistani projectiles.
A complete blackout is being observed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra and Bhawan, after Pakistan resumed shelling and drone attacks in several regions of India. The firing across LoC and drone attacks have been occurring in Srinagar, Udhampur, parts of Punjab and Rajasthan, mere hours after striking a ceasefire deal.
A blackout began in Punjab’s Fazilka district at 9:30 pm, stated Mandeep Kaur, additional DC (General) of the region. Previously cancelled blackouts have been resumed in several border districts in India after a ceasefire deal was violated by Pakistan just a few hours after it had been announced. Authorities have stated that a blackout has been imposed again in Barnala and Sangrur district from 9 pm to 11 pm amid ceasefire violations from Pakistan. Pakistan has resumed shelling and air raids across India’s border districts after agreeing to a peace deal hours ago.
Blackout restrictions will remain in Ambala for the night, the district’s DC Ajay Tomar said. Shelling has continued in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sunderbani, Kalal, Keri Battal, Nowshera, according to sources.
J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah informed that the sound of explosions was heard across Srinagar. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!,” he wrote on X. Minutes later in a second post, Abdullah said, “This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.”
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India had carried out precision strikes on eight Pakistani military sites early Saturday in response to a series of coordinated attacks by Pakistan on Indian Air Force installations, including Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj, as well as civilian infrastructure at the IAF bases in Srinagar and Awantipora.
These strikes came after Pakistani forces launched drones, loitering munitions, high-speed missiles, and fighter aircraft to target both military and civilian assets across the western border and the Line of Control.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi addressed the media, stating that Pakistan’s attacks resulted in limited damage to equipment and personnel at several Indian Air Force (IAF) stations, including Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj.
Notably, Pakistan targeted medical centres and school premises within IAF bases in Srinagar, Avantipur, and Udhampur, which was deemed a reckless act. Furthermore, an attempted high-speed missile launch towards Punjab was reported at 1:40 am.
Pakistan escalated its shelling along the Line of Control and International Border, focusing on areas like Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor. The intense firing resulted in casualties, including the death of Rajouri’s Additional District Development Commissioner, and injured civilians in Ferozepur and Jalandhar.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday thanked US President Donald Trump “for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region.” “We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region. Pakistan appreciates the United States for facilitating this outcome, which we have accepted in the interest of regional peace and stability,” he wrote on X.
“We also thank Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their valuable contributions for peace in South Asia. Pakistan believes this marks a new beginning in the resolution of issues that have plagued the region and prevented its journey toward peace, prosperity and stability,” he added.
