New Delhi: Even as India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following several days of hostilities, government sources have made it clear that Operation Sindoor has not concluded. The counter-terror operation was launched in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, prompting swift military action by India against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed the armed forces to respond decisively to any provocation from across the border. “Operation Sindoor is not concluded, there is a new normal in India’s response to cross-border terrorism,” people familiar with the matter said.
India’s position, according to these sources, remains firm: after the May 7 strikes on terror targets in Pakistan-controlled territories, New Delhi has conveyed that any aggression from Islamabad will be met with an even more forceful response. “If Pakistan fires, India will fire more forcefully; if Pakistan stops, India will stop,” a source said.
Diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, officials confirmed, will be limited strictly to military channels. “New Delhi will only talk to Islamabad through the channel of the director general of military operations, with the sources saying that there is no other issue to discuss.”
India is also reviewing its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty in light of continued terrorist activity. “The Indus Waters Treaty is linked to cross-border terrorism. The treaty will be in abeyance as long as terrorism sponsored by Pakistan against India continues,” said one of the sources.
Reiterating India’s position, the sources noted that Islamabad cannot expect compartmentalised cooperation while supporting terrorism. “Pakistan can’t expect to continue with terrorism while expecting cooperation in areas of its choosing,” they said.
Prime Minister Modi is also reported to have conveyed India’s stand firmly to US Vice President JD Vance. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US Vice President JD Vance clearly that if Pakistan does something, the response will be more devastating and strong.” On the same night, Pakistani forces reportedly targeted 26 sites in India, prompting strong retaliatory strikes by the Indian armed forces, according to PTI.
Ceasefire understanding and violations
India and Pakistan had reached a ceasefire understanding on Saturday after days of heightened tensions along the Line of Control and the International Border. The agreement followed Indian air and artillery strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the ceasefire was to take effect from 5 PM IST on Saturday. However, soon after, Pakistan reportedly violated the agreement through renewed shelling along the LoC and drone activity across border areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat.
Indian authorities confirmed that by Sunday morning, the situation had stabilised, and firing had stopped. Still, they added, Indian forces remain on high alert. Any further provocation, they said, would be met with a strong and immediate response.
