The Indian Army on Sunday clarified that the recent agreement between India and Pakistan to halt hostilities along the borders has no fixed expiry date, countering some media reports suggesting the ceasefire was set to lapse.
The statement came after reports claimed that the cessation of military activities agreed upon by the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations was ending Sunday evening.
However, the Indian Army emphasized that the understanding, reaffirmed during a hotline conversation on May 12, remains in effect indefinitely.
“As far as continuation of the break in hostilities—decided during the DGMOs interaction on May 12—is concerned, there is no expiry date to it,” the Army said in a brief statement.
The Army also dispelled rumors of any fresh DGMO-level talks being scheduled for Sunday, contrary to some media speculation.
Ceasefire Amid Escalating Tensions
The initial arrangement between the two militaries came amid heightened cross-border tensions, triggered by a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, executing precision strikes on Pakistani-based terror infrastructure.
Pakistan retaliated with attempted strikes on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. These were met with strong countermeasures from the Indian armed forces, which reportedly inflicted significant damage to several key Pakistani military installations, including airbases, command centres, and radar sites.
Amid fears of a broader conflict, both sides agreed to de-escalate.
On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the two nations had come to an understanding to immediately cease all military activity on land, air, and sea.
DGMOs Reaffirm Ceasefire
Further hotline discussions between the DGMOs were held on May 12, where both parties reiterated their commitment to refrain from any aggressive or provocative military actions.
The two officers discussed de-escalation strategies, including reducing troop deployments along the border and in forward areas.
Crucially, both sides agreed to avoid any gunfire or “inimical” military actions, signaling a significant step toward restoring calm after four days of escalating attacks.
Pakistan’s Version and Indian Response
On May 15, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed the Senate that the DGMOs had spoken again on May 14 to discuss extending the ceasefire.
He claimed that the ceasefire had initially been agreed upon from May 10 to May 12, then extended to May 14, and again to May 18 following subsequent conversations.
While Dar’s remarks were widely reported by Pakistani media, including Geo News, the Indian military did not officially comment on these claims.
However, the Indian Army stated that it would continue to implement confidence-building measures in line with the May 10 agreement to reduce the alertness level of troops on both sides.
The Indian Army’s latest clarification underscores that the ceasefire arrangement stands firm and is open-ended.
The move reflects a mutual effort by both countries to de-escalate after a period of intense military confrontation and highlights ongoing backchannel communication aimed at preventing further conflict.
As both militaries continue to monitor the situation, the international community is likely to view this development as a positive step toward stability in the region, though the sustainability of peace will depend on future actions and political will on both sides.
