Calm Returns to Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab Borders as Ceasefire Holds

Calm Returns to Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab Borders as Ceasefire Holds
The volatile borders of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab have found respite as a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, effective from May 10, 2025, held firm with no reported firing or drone incursions on May 11. The truce, a response to escalating tensions post-India’s Operation Sindoor, has restored tentative peace, allowing border communities to exhale after days of unrest.

Truce Halts Hostilities
Announced after urgent talks between India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, and Pakistan’s Major General Kashif Abdullah, the ceasefire halted all military actions following Pakistan’s drone attacks and India’s defensive measures, including intercepting a Fateh-2 missile. Overnight on May 11, areas like Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar reported no shelling or air raid sirens, a stark shift from the prior week’s chaos. Social media updates from local sources, including ANI, confirmed normalcy, with blackouts lifted in Punjab’s Jalandhar, Pathankot, and Ferozepur. The ceasefire’s success has paved the way for further DGMO discussions on May 12 to ensure compliance.

Restoring Normalcy
Border residents, who endured fear and disruption, are cautiously resuming daily life. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri, villagers returned to agricultural work, while Amritsar’s markets buzzed with activity. Power restoration in Punjab’s border districts alleviated hardships, and schools in safer zones reopened. However, high alerts persist in Gurdaspur and Kupwara, with the Indian Army and Border Security Force maintaining vigilance. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister

Border residents, who endured fear and disruption, are cautiously resuming daily life. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri, villagers returned to agricultural work, while Amritsar’s markets buzzed with activity. Power restoration in Punjab’s border districts alleviated hardships, and schools in safer zones reopened. However, high alerts persist in Gurdaspur and Kupwara, with the Indian Army and Border Security Force maintaining vigilance. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the calm but cautioned against complacency, referencing past ceasefire breaches.

International Backing
The ceasefire, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s mediation, has garnered global support. The UN and G7 nations called for sustained de-escalation, while Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the bilateral nature of the talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s resolve for peace, conditional on Pakistan curbing cross-border threats.

Hope Amid Caution
The absence of violence offers hope, but the ceasefire’s durability remains uncertain given the region’s history. For now, Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab embrace the calm, with communities and authorities alike yearning for lasting stability.