India, Pakistan reach ceasefire; what happens on May 12?
As India reaches ceasefire with Pakistan, the DGMOs will hold talks on Monday; US President Donald Trump claims American mediation did the trick. What happened?
India and Pakistan announced an immediate ceasefire effective 5 pm Saturday (May 10)following a phone call between their DGMOs. While US President Donald Trump claimed credit for mediation, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated the agreement was reached bilaterally. The two militaries will hold further talks on May 12.
The escalation timeline
The confrontation began after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indians. Tensions peaked when:
- Pakistan launched Mach 3 missiles (3x speed of sound)
- Both sides deployed heavy artillery along Rajouri-Poonch sectors
- Troop build-ups were reported along the border
"The war had clearly climbed up the escalation ladder this morning," noted editor S Srinivasan during the discussion.
US and Saudi Arabia's role
Managing Editor KS Dakshina Murthy highlighted: "This marks the fifth US intervention in India-Pakistan conflicts since 1987. Washington sees no merit in war between its two allies."
Saudi Arabia's quiet diplomacy also played a role, leveraging its ties with both nations following PM Modi's recent visit to Riyadh.
Political fallout in India
Senior journalist Puneet Nicholas Yadav analysed: "The BJP has already framed this as a muscular response, deflecting questions about security lapses in Pahalgam."
Opposition demands for a parliamentary session face challenges given the nationalist sentiment.
Media's war coverage criticized
The panellists condemned sensationalist reporting:
"We had already captured Pakistan day before yesterday, according to some channels," Yadav remarked, calling for media accountability.
Unanswered questions
The discussion ended with key concerns:
- Fate of the nine terror camps India targeted
- Status of Indus Water Treaty negotiations
- Pakistan's ambiguous stance on Shimla Agreement
Military lessons
The conflict saw unprecedented elements:
- First public evidence of terror camp operations
- Use of hypersonic missiles
- Real-time battlefield transparency
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