- By Talibuddin Khan
- Mon, 12 May 2025 06:29 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India-Pakistan News: In a strong diplomatic and military message, India has issued a clear and stern message to Pakistan, warning that any violation of the bilateral ceasefire agreement will be met with a "fierce and punitive" response. Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, on Sunday sent a "hotline message" to his Pakistani counterpart, pinpointing the violation of the understanding reached between the two neighbouring, nuclear-armed nations. The DGMO also conveyed India’s firm stance on delivering a punitive response if such acts are repeated.
"We earlier today sent another hotline message to my counterpart, highlighting these violations of the understanding between the DGMOs on the 10th of May, and our firm and clear intent to respond to these fiercely and punitively, if repeated tonight, subsequently, or later," DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said in a late-night press briefing.
He added that Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has granted full freedom to the army to respond "with force" to any kind of violation from the Pakistani side.
India and Pakistan, which have been teetering on the edge of a full-scale war, reached a consensus on May 10 to immediately cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea, following four days of continuous cross-border drone and missile attacks.
However, within three hours, the agreement was violated, and Indian air defence systems intercepted drones over several cities in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. Shelling was also reported in some forward border areas.
Restrictive orders, which had been revoked after the bilateral agreement, were reimposed, and blackouts were enforced high-risk regions including, including Srinagar, Jammu, Firozpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer. The Indian Armed Forces responded robustly to the attacks and successfully thwarted any major mishap.
"Through last night and in the early hours of the morning today, these violations were responded to robustly and dealt with as they must be," Lt Gen Ghai said, adding that the Indian Armed Forces have thus far exercised immense restraint.
"Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory. However, any threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or safety of our citizens will be met with decisive force," he said.
Highlighting the Pakistani Army’s violation of the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement within hours, the DGMO said that such a breach had been anticipated. "We also decided to further speak on the 12th of May, tomorrow, at 1200 hours to discuss the modalities that will enable the longevity of this understanding."
"However, disappointingly, and, must I add, expectedly, it took only a couple of hours for the Pakistan Army to violate these arrangements, with cross-border firing and drone intrusions across the expanse of the western front," he stated.
He further confirmed that "no breach" of India's international borders or airspace occurred. Instead, India's focus remained on eliminating terror hubs across the border.He said that India's approach to aerial defense was underscored by the interception of Pakistani drones and missile attacks targeting military installations.
"These were successfully shot down before reaching their intended targets. What has been happening for the last 3-4 days is nothing less than a war," said Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
