‘Might Have Avoided Bloodshed…’: J-K CM Welcomes Indo-Pak Ceasefire; Oppn Calls For Special Parliament Session
In a significant development, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, bringing an end to days of escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC). The ceasefire, confirmed by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Saturday evening, follows a request from Pakistan to de-escalate the situation.
Trump's Announcement
Former US President Donald Trump, announced this on his social media platform, Truth Social. He wrote, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the development, saying, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
Indian Political Reactions
The announcement has sparked varied responses from Indian political leaders. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the ceasefire, though he expressed regret over the timing, stating, "I welcome the ceasefire. If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost. Pakistan's DGMO called our DGMO and the ceasefire was implemented." He also highlighted the need for immediate relief and rehabilitation for those affected by the recent conflict, emphasizing that district commissioners have been instructed to assess the damage swiftly.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, welcomed the truce, saying, "I think peace is essential. We need to have more details. But I'm very glad India never wanted a long-term war..."
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader John Brittas, remarked, “This ceasefire is good for both India and Pakistan. We don’t have further details regarding President Donald Trump’s statement—I’m not sure how he is involved in this. Nevertheless, we have always maintained that there should be de-escalation between the two countries.”
Call for Parliamentary Session
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for a special session of Parliament, emphasizing the need for transparency and national unity in the wake of the ceasefire. “In view of the unprecedented announcements from Washington DC, there is now a need, more than ever before, for the PM to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence,” Ramesh said, also calling for a detailed discussion on the recent Pahalgam terror attacks and the path forward.
Voices from Jammu and Kashmir
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti echoed a sentiment of cautious relief, highlighting the burden borne by the people of Jammu and Kashmir during periods of heightened Indo-Pak tension. “I think the people of Jammu and Kashmir must have taken a breath of relief after a long time because whenever tension rises between India and Pakistan, they are the first to be affected... Donald Trump's intervention is very good. However, we should not have needed the intervention of any other country. I think India should now take up the role of an elder brother,” she said, stressing the need for regional stability.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is set to provide further clarity on the ceasefire agreement in a scheduled briefing at 6 pm this evening, as both countries look to stabilize the situation and reduce the risk of further escalation.
The Indian government announced today that DGMO-level talks between India and Pakistan will take place on May 12, following the recent ceasefire agreement.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the Director Generals of Military Operations from both countries spoke at 3:35 pm today.
However, just an hour before the ceasefire announcement, India warned that any future acts of terror originating from Pakistan would be considered acts of war, prompting a strong response.
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