New Delhi: The Indian government has authorised its Army Commanders stationed along the Pakistan border regions to undertake “appropriate counteraction” following a ceasefire violation by Pakistan on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This directive effectively gives field commanders full autonomy to respond militarily to any provocations.
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has greenlit Army Commanders on the western borders to launch immediate counteractions if the crucial understanding reached between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan during their Saturday talks is violated by Pakistan.
Despite the high tensions, no fresh hostilities had erupted immediately following the DGMO-level communication.
Significantly, just an hour before the announcement of the DGMO understanding, sources indicated a hardening of India’s stance, that any future act of terror emanating from Pakistan would be considered an act of war, prompting a commensurate Indian response.
“Consequent to the ceasefire and airspace violations on night of 10-11 May 2025, General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS [Chief of the Army Staff] reviewed the security situation with the Army Commanders of the Western Borders,” the Indian Army posted on X.
“The COAS has granted full authority to the Army Commanders for counteraction in the kinetic domain to any violation of the understanding reached vide the DGMO talks of 10 May 2025,” they added.
The recent escalation cycle began with the killing of 25 tourists and one local Kashmiri by Pakistan-linked terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. India responded with “precision” cruise missile strikes targeting “terror infrastructure” within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Pakistan, where the military exerts significant influence over the civilian government, retaliated against the situation by launching drone attacks on civilian areas in India. India’s subsequent response involved further ‘precision strikes’ against selected military targets deep inside Pakistani territory, including radar installations, command and control centres, and ammunition depots in locations such as Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot, Defence sources said.
