India-Pak ceasefire LIVE: “Will not see terrorists and their state sponsors separately,” says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting with senior ministers and military officials at his residence early this morning.

Lt Gen. Rajeev Ghai, director-general of military operations (DGMO), spoke to his Pakistani counterpart at 5 p.m. after a delay — the hotline call was initially scheduled for noon. This is the second time that the DGMOs of both countries will hold talks, though details have not been revealed yet.

Earlier, foreign secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan's DGMO Maj. Gen. Kashif Abdullah called Ghai on 10 May, and the two agreed that firing on land, air and sea would be halted after days of skirmish.

Meanwhile, after several tense days, the Indian Army confirmed that the night across Jammu & Kashmir and stretches along the International Border remained peaceful, with no fresh incidents reported.

More in yesterdays blog here

Armed forces neutralised a suspected "surveillance drone" in Punjab's Jalandhar, a senior district official said in a late-night message.

Jalandhar deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said, "I have been informed that one surveillance drone was brought down by the armed forces around 9:20 p.m. near Mand village. An expert team is looking for the debris."

In a message at 10:45 p.m., he advised people against going near any debris and to immediately inform the nearest police station.

He added that there was no drone activity after 10 p.m..

The Jalandhar deputy commissioner urged residents to remain calm and not burst firecrackers, as had been reported in some areas.

Strict police action would be taken against people who try to create panic, he warned.

"We have cut off electricity in some areas of Jalandhar as a precaution and will review the situation after some time. Nothing to worry," Aggarwal said.

After drone incursions in Samba in Jammu & Kashmir, and blackouts declared in Samba, Jammu and Amritsar in Punjab, now Hoshiarpur has opted for lights out as a safety precaution

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor expressed disappointment on behalf of India in "Mr Trump's post" for four reasons:

1. "false equivalence between the victim and the perpetrator, and seemingly overlook[ing] the US’ own past unwavering stance against Pakistan’s well-documented links to cross-border terrorism";

2. "offering Pakistan a negotiating framework which it certainly has not earned. — India will never negotiate with a terrorist gun pointed at its head";

3. “internationalising” the Kashmir dispute, an obvious objective of the terrorists—"India rejects the idea of a dispute and sees the problem as an internal affair of India’s. India has never requested, not is likely to seek, any foreign country’s mediation over its problems with Pakistan," he said

And 4. “it 're-hyphenates' India and Pakistan in the global imagination”—something Tharoor called "a major backward step", citing that for decades now, world leaders had been encouraged not to club their visits to India with visits to Pakistan and “starting with President Clinton in 2000, no US President had done so”.

The officers of the IFS have shared a statement to "strongly condemn the recent attacks on the Foreign Secretary [Vikram Mistry] for actions undertaken as part of his official duties".

Reports (unverified) have come in of small arms firing at the border of Jammu and Kashmir in Samba and Hiranagar, as well as 10-12 drones having been intercepted in Samba.

Blackouts have been mandated in both Samba and Jammu, as a result.

This comes within an hour of prime minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation.

Meanwhile, a Delhi–Amritsar IndiGo flight returned to Delhi from mid-flight due to a blackout being declared in Amritsar as well.

Meanwhile, POTUS Donald Trump told media he leveraged trade with both India and Pakistan to urge them towards a ceasefire: "I said, 'Come on, we're gonna do a lot of trade with you guys—let's stop it. If you stop it, we'll do trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade.'

Even after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop military hostilities, Indian government websites are facing a barrage of cyber attacks from the neighbouring country as well as from Bangladesh and the Middle Eastern region, Maharashtra Cyber officials claim.

Officials revealed that 1.5 crore cyber attacks were carried out after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, but only 150 proved successful.

Addressing reporters, a senior official of Maharashtra Cyber debunked claims of hackers stealing data from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, hacking aviation and municipal systems, and targeting the Election Commission website.

Maharashtra Cyber is a nodal office under the Maharashtra government responsible for cybercrime investigation and maintenance of security.

"The probe discovered that cyber attacks on (government websites in) India decreased after India-Pakistan ceased hostilities, but not fully stopped. These attacks continue from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and Middle Eastern countries," the official said.

He said Maharashtra Cyber has launched a dedicated campaign against misinformation on social media and has taken down 38 of 83 fake news posts.

The cyber department will take action against fake news related to the armed forces and the Indian government under the "Nation First Fact First" campaign, the official added.

Claiming that Opertion Sindoor demonstrates India's "new policy" against terrorism, PM Modi says "a new line has been drawn".

"We have only kept in abeyance our operations against Pakistan; the future will depend on their behaviour," he added.

"India struck at the heart of Pakistan. Our missiles attacked with precision to damage their air bases," the PM said, suggesting that India might have continued had Pakistan not pleaded for talks.

"When 'Nation first' is our resolve, steely decisions can be taken," he had said earlier. "On 7 May, the whole world saw our resolve turn into action," he had said, noting that 100 terrorists had been taken down in Operation Sindoor.

Prime minister Modi in his address to the nation has insisted that Pakistan must dismantle the terror infrastructure on its own territory if there is to be a lasting peace.

Laying to rest speculation occasioned by US president Donald Trump's remark on "wider talks", the PM also emphasised that the current bilateral talks with Pakistan are only "on terror and the return of PoK—nothing else".

He also said, "Terror and talks cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go together. Water and blood cannot go together" — the implications being that the Indus Water Treaty remains in abeyance, as does all trade with Pakistan.

The prime minister also emphasised that the current ceasefire should be seen as a "pause" in India's response to terrorism — not a permanent peace.

Continuing his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "We will not see separately terrorists and their state sponsors."

He also noted that India will not tolerate "any nuclear blackmail" and said that our army, navy, air force, BSF "and all other forces" remain on alert.

"We have proved our supremacy in new age warfare," the PM claimed.

However, he added, "This is not an era of war—but it is also not an era of terrorism."

He also warned our neighbour: "Terrorists being fed by Pakistan will destroy Pakistan itself one day".

"I want to congratulate and salute our security forces," says PM Modi in his address to the nation.

The PM dedicated "this bravery of the armed forces to the mothers, sisters and daughters" of India.

He noted the nation had displayed both its "capabilities and self-restraint in the last few days" in the course of Operation Sindoor, and added a salute to "our armed forces, intelligence and our scientists" on behalf of India's citizens.   

"Both Rahul Gandhi and I have written to the Prime Minister, seeking a special Parliament session. We want the session to be convened to discuss what is happening in our country, in Pakistan, and other developments, along with what measures we can take to safeguard our people," Congress president Kharge said.

He added that on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, everyone naturally yearns for peace.

"India has followed his teachings for over two thousand years. We wish for peace everywhere and hope everyone lives peacefully," Kharge said, "But to protect the country, we must be prepared to fight—because if the country is safe, we are all safe."

"Our army is fighting bravely, and we salute their courage and commitment. Everyone should unite for the country and stand strong for it," Kharge added.

All schools and colleges in the non-border districts of Jammu and Kashmir will reopen on Tuesday, 13 May, after remaining closed for nearly a week.

"All schools and colleges to reopen from tomorrow in non-border districts of Jammu as well as Kashmir," education minister Sakina Ittoo said in a post on X.

(Today was anyway a holiday, however.)

The schools, colleges and universities in the union territory were temporarily shut last week in view of the military standoff between India and Pakistan.

The University of Kashmir has postponed all examinations till 14 May.

"I hope today it is made clear to the world by the Govt of India that Kashmir is not a part of any discussions," posts Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray — with an address from the PM scheduled this evening and hopes for a briefing from the defence ministry in the wake of bilateral DGMO talks with Pakistan.

"It is NOT an international issue, not even a bilateral issue," he asserted, making an exception for only PoK.

"We are happy that a ceasefire has been reached between the two countries. We are also hopeful that Pakistan will not resort to such activities again," said Arshad Ahmad, a resident of the Kamalkote area in Uri.

Some residents praised the army and other security forces for taking care of them.

Uri MLA Sajjad Shafi has asked the residents of villages along the frontline to remain vigilant and not touch anything suspicious.

"They should immediately report any suspicious objects to the authorities for proper disposal," he said.

In Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had called residents — of whom 80-90 per cent reportedly evacuated — to come back home while visiting bereaved families and the injured survivors today. However, the J&K Police yesterday (11 May) had issued an advisory cautioning citizens against haste: "Do not return to frontline villages. Lives are at risk as unexplored munitions remain (scattered) after Pakistani shelling."

"As many as 41 lives were lost in explosions of leftover shells near the LoC in 2023 alone," the police advisory had noted.

More here

The director generals of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan have held talks, which started at around 5 p.m., being delayed from the originally scheduled for 12 noon.

Over the hotline, the two military officials deliberated on various aspects of the understanding reached between the two sides on 10 May on stopping military actions and firings. A briefing is awaited.

In response to the new government directives today reopening the recently closed airports, IndiGo has reopened its flight bookings and resumed operations progressively on select routes, beginning with:

• Delhi – Chandigarh

• Delhi – Jammu – Delhi

• Delhi – Amritsar – Delhi

  It has said that over the course of the next few days, more routes will resume across the network.

"Our teams are working diligently to ensure smooth, secure and seamless travel experience, supported by enhanced protocols and timely communication," the popular budget airline announced.

BSF inspector general (Jammu Frontier) Shashank Anand and other senior BSF officials, police and civil officers attended the wreath-laying ceremony for BSF constable Deepak Chingakham, who died in cross-border firing by Pakistani troops.

Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and minister Satish Sharma also joined in paying floral tributes to the slain constable.

Constable Deepak Chingakham suffered fatal injuries during cross-border firing along the international border in the R.S. Pura area of Jammu district on 10 May and attained martyrdom on 11 May.

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at BSF headquarters in Jammu, and later his mortal remains were dispatched to his family for the last rites.

The LG laid a wreath at the mortal remains and said "I salute the brave son of Mother India, BSF constable Deepak Chingakham, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty."

He further said, "We share the grief of the family and stand in solidarity."

After the wreath-laying ceremony, the tricolour-wrapped coffin carrying the body of the constable was dispatched to his hometown for the last rites.

China has vehemently denied reports — or rather, 'rumours', as the state media put it — that its 'largest military cargo plane', the Xi'an Y-20, has ferried arms supplies to Pakistan.

Indeed, it has threatened those 'rumour mongering' with legal action as it put out a 'fact check' from its defence ministry.

Read more here

Seven airports in Gujarat — including three in the border district of Kutch — have been reopened for civilian flights.

The international airport at Rajkot and airports at Porbandar, Jamnagar, Keshod (Junagadh district) and Bhuj, Mundra and Kandla (Kutch district) had been closed for civilian aircraft on 9 May — among a total of 32 airports across north and western India — due to the military conflict with Pakistan.

On May 9, thirty-two airports across northern and western parts of the country were closed.

Nepal's prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli has thanked India and Pakistan for reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions, saying Lord Buddha's message of peace and non-violence is particularly relevant today.

"Lord Buddha's teachings and his message of peace and non-violence are more relevant today at a time when we are facing conflicts around us," Oli said at an event in Lumbini, marking the 2569th Buddha Jayanti at his birthplace.

"A few days ago in our neighbourhood, tensions had escalated between India and Pakistan, but now the conflict has ceased," he said.

"I want to thank both India and Pakistan for the same," Oli said.

"I have been saying from the beginning that tension should not escalate... the conflict should not turn into a war," Oli said, adding that he also talked to both sides.

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty recorded their biggest single-day gains in absolute terms today, skyrocketing nearly 4 per cent, after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop military actions and US and China announced a deal to lower tariffs significantly.

After opening on a high note, the 30-share BSE Sensex soared by 2,975.43 points or 3.74 per cent to settle at a more than seven-month high of 82,429.90. During the day, it rallied 3,041.5 points or 3.82 per cent to a high of 82,495.97.

The 50-issue Nifty of NSE skyrocketed 916.70 points or 3.82 per cent to close at 24,924.70. In intra-day trade, the barometer zoomed 936.8 points or 3.90 per cent to 24,944.80.

Sensex and Nifty logged their biggest single-day gains in absolute terms on across the board buying led by IT, metal, realty and tech shares. Sensex had previously posted its biggest single-day gain of 2,507.45 points and Nifty by 733.20 points on 3 June 2024.

Acknowledging that the recent Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir had created a "war-like situation" for a few days, with Poonch district bearing the brunt of the attack, the union territory's chief minister Omar Abdullah has urged those who had left their homes to return, now that a military understanding between the two countries is in place.

"They (border residents) should now try to return to their homes... 80–90 per cent of Poonch town is vacant. They had left their homes when shelling was taking place. Now that the shelling has stopped, they can return to their homes," Abdullah told reporters.

He also congratulated the citizens of Poonch for upholding the "legacy of unity" across Hindu, Muslim and Sikh families in the district.

Read more here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at around 8 PM tonight, his first since the start of Operation Sindoor, officials said.

The address comes two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, talks between the DGMOs of both nations on further steps are also due today — they were to take place at noon and have since been postponed to evening.

It is not known at this time whether that will be before or after the prime minister's address to the nation.

Addressing an ongoing media briefing on Operation Sindoor on Monday, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti said “…it is a pity that the Pakistani military chose to intervene and that (too) for terrorists, which compelled us to respond in kind…”

The air marshal added that Akash missiles were among the weapons systems used by the Indian armed forces during the cross-border operatio codenamed Operation Sindoor, which was launched on 7 May in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which India says was perpetrated by a Pakistan-based terror outfit.

A scheduled conversation between the directors-general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan will now take place on Monday evening, official sources said, as per a PTI report.

The talks over the hotline were previously scheduled at 12 noon on Monday. The reason for deferring the talks by a few hours is not immediately known.

India launched Operation Sindoor early on 7 May to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April which left 26 people dead, and which India claims was perpetrated by an affiliate of the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan on Saturday, 9 May, announced that they had reached an 'understanding' to stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea, with effect from 5.00 pm IST that day.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reached out to people affected by Pakistani shelling in the Poonch district and stressed the need to set up bunkers in the area.

Poonch district accounted for 20 of the total 27 Indian fatalities with over 50 others injured since Wednesday, shortly after India carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead and was allegedly masterminded by Pakistan-based The Resistance Front, an affiliate of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Read more here

The wife of Border Security Force constable Purnam Kumar Sahu, who has been detained by the Pakistan Rangers since 27 April after inadvertently straying across the International Border, claimed that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to her over the phone and assured her of every effort to secure his release.

Read more here

The Shiv Sena(UBT) has expressed strong displeasure over US President Donald Trump’s 'intervention' in the India-Pakistan conflict and his announcement of a ceasefire. 

In a scathing editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena(UBT) asked, "Who gave the President authority? Did President Trump buy India's sovereignty? In exchange for what? Exactly what 'deal' was made? The country must know."

ISRO chairman Dr V. Narayanan said 10 satellites are continuously working for a strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of India's citizens.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Central Agricultural University in Manipur's capital Imphal on Sunday, he said India is becoming a "vibrant space power" and will have its first space station by 2040.

"Today, 433 satellites of 34 countries are lifted from India and placed in orbit...I am also happy to inform you that today, 10 satellites are continuously working 24/7 for a strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country," the ISRO chief said during the programme.

His comment came amid the military conflict between India and Pakistan, with India launching Operation Sindoor on early 7 May to destroy terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.

Narayanan also said, "If we have to ensure the safety of our country, we have to serve through our satellites. We have to monitor our 7,000 km seashore. We have to monitor the entire northern part continuously. Without satellite and drone technology, we can't achieve that."

Civil aviation authorities have decided to reopen 32 airports that were shut for civil flight operations following last week’s armed conflict between India and Pakistan, official sources said on Monday.

A formal announcement regarding the resumption of operations at these airports is expected to be announced soon, the sources added.

Civil flight operations from 32 airports across northern and western India, including Srinagar and Amritsar, were suspended from 9-15 May owing to the military standoff between India and Pakistan.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with other aviation authorities, issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civilian flight operations.

The Congress on Sunday questioned the Modi government over the US announcement of a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan, calling it an “unprecedented” move that risks internationalising the Kashmir issue. Party leader Sachin Pilot demanded clarity on whether India had accepted third-party mediation and urged the government to convene another all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament.

To read a detailed news report, click here.

Security forces remained on heightened alert across Jammu & Kashmir and along the international border, even as the night of 11–12 May passed peacefully. According to the Indian Army, no drone sightings or cross-border shelling were reported — marking the first quiet night in recent days.

After drone activity and blackouts across Rajasthan’s border areas, including Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Sri Ganganagar, daily life resumed on Monday with roads bustling and routine activities picking up.

However, as a safety measure, schools and colleges remain closed, and exams have been postponed. Airports in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh, and Bikaner will stay shut until 15 May under heightened security protocols.

Delhi airport authorities confirmed on Monday, 12 May that operations are running smoothly, though some flights and security checks may face delays. This follows the cancellation of around 100 flights on Sunday, 11 May amid heightened security, with over 30 airports in north and west India briefly shut due to the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

Political parties in Manipur, including the BJP and Congress, condoled the death of BSF constable Deepak Chingakham, who succumbed to injuries sustained during cross-border firing by Pakistan in Jammu’s R S Pura sector on 10 May. Remembered as a brave and devoted soldier, Chingakham was hailed as a proud son of Manipur whose sacrifice exemplifies the state's resilient spirit.

Indian intelligence agencies have confirmed that senior Pakistani military and civil officials were present at the funerals of designated terrorists eliminated in the 7 May air strikes under Operation Sindoor. Media reports quoted officials who said their attendance points to Pakistan’s continued state-backed support for terror groups operating from its territory.

Indian stock markets opened sharply higher on Monday, buoyed by easing cross-border tensions. The Nifty 50 rose over 412 points to 24,420.10, while the Sensex surged nearly 1,300 points to 80,754.37, reflecting improved investor sentiment after both nations agreed to halt hostilities over the weekend.

A total of 476 students and residents from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been safely evacuated from Jammu & Kashmir and other border areas. Of them, 350 are from Andhra Pradesh, with 100 arriving in Delhi on Sunday. The Andhra Pradesh Bhavan has established a 24x7 control room in the national capital to support those returning from high-risk zones.

To read a detailed report, click here.

Officials confirmed that no firing incidents were reported along the International Border in Amritsar and other Punjab districts. However, all schools, colleges, and universities in Amritsar will remain closed on Monday as a precautionary measure, with teachers advised to conduct online classes from home. Dismissing social media rumours, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney clarified that there was no siren alert or blackout in Amritsar on Sunday night, and urged residents to avoid panic.

Schools in Sangrur and five other districts of Punjab, located near the Pakistan border, will remain closed today due to ongoing security concerns. Officials confirmed that while educational institutions are temporarily shut, the situation in the bordering villages is gradually returning to normal.

Monday morning in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, unfolded with a sense of calm as locals went about their daily routines. Streets were bustling with activity, markets reopened, and public life resumed, reflecting a return to normalcy following a period of heightened security.

The Indian Army confirmed that the night remained peaceful across Jammu & Kashmir and along the International Border, with no incidents reported. This marked the first instance of calm in recent days, offering a brief respite from heightened tensions in the region.

Drones were reported over Rajasthan’s Barmer district, prompting authorities to enforce a blackout across border areas. Residents have been advised to stay indoors as a precaution, while normalcy has returned to other parts of the western region.