In a significant de-escalation move, the Pakistan Army has announced the conclusion of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, its retaliatory military operation against India. The announcement follows high-level military talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations, during which they agreed to avoid further hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Boundary.
The agreement includes a mutual commitment to refrain from aggressive or provocative actions and scale down the deployment of troops and heavy weaponry positioned in forward locations along the western front.
Indian DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai and his counterpart Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah discussed in detail the modalities for implementing the truce on ceasing hostilities, which had come into effect on May 10, over the hotline.
“Issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed at DGMO talks,” the Indian Army said in a brief statement.
“It was also agreed that both sides consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas,” it added.
Modi Cautions: Operation Sindoor Only Suspended, Not Abandoned, New Normal
In a nationally televised address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored that India has only suspended military operations, and the pause in hostilities is contingent upon Pakistan’s adherence to its commitments as India could resume military action if Pakistan does not abide by the commitments it made to get India to agree to a pause.
“We have just suspended our retaliatory action against Pakistan’s terror and military camps. In the coming days, we will measure every step of Pakistan on the criterion of what sort of attitude Pakistan will adopt ahead,” the Prime Minister said.
He reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, the code-name for India’s targeted military campaign against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, had reshaped the strategic calculus.
“Now, Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism. It has carved out a new benchmark and has set a new parameter and new normal,” PM Modi stated.
He commended the Indian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and defence scientists for the precision strikes that caused significant damage to high-value Pakistani military targets, including airbases located deep inside Pakistani territory.
Strategic Pause, Not Strategic Retreat
Sources within the Indian security establishment reiterated that the suspension of hostilities is not a sign of de-escalation at any cost but a calibrated step to test Pakistan’s sincerity. Should there be any deviation from the ceasefire understanding or resurgence in cross-border terror activities, India retains the right to re-engage militarily.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that surveillance and combat readiness along the LoC and western front remain at high alert, even as troop reduction discussions begin at local and formation levels.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
