Srinagar – Indian Army on Monday reported the first peaceful night along the India-Pakistan border following a surprise ceasefire announced over the weekend. The truce, brokered after four days of intense cross-border violence, appears to be holding despite initial doubts.
The Indian military confirmed that “no incidents have been reported,” and described the night as the first calm period in days across Kashmir and other border areas. The town of Poonch, one of the worst-hit regions during the recent escalation, also experienced a second consecutive night without gunfire or shelling.
Across Srinagar, which witnessed drone and missile strikes during the Indo-Pak clashes, also reported a calm night. On May 10 night, just hours after ceasefire was brokered, Srinagar saw a volley of drone attacks which were immediately neutralized by the armed forces.
“We were thinking of evacuating our homes if the war had continued,” said Nisar Ahmad, a resident of Rawalpora, an area close to Srinagar airport. “ But thankfully, the ceasefire happened and we stayed back.”
The war triggered by a deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, was the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999. Border areas along the Line of Control, bore the brunt of Pakistani shelling. But with truce, people have heaved a sigh of relief.
“One can only hope that the truce lasts. And for that to happen, cross-border terrorism has to stop,” a editorial in a local daily read. “No country can live down the attack like Pahalgam when it is carried out by the attackers from the other country. So, India had no choice but to act.”
