After four days of relentless cross-border hostilities, a fragile calm returned to Jammu and Kashmir as no overnight shelling or drone activity was reported across the Line of Control (LoC) and international border, officials confirmed on Sunday.
This lull in hostilities comes after India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to halt all military action across land, air, and sea. The decision followed days of intense cross-border missile and drone strikes, which had left at least 27 dead, including five Indian security personnel, and injured many more.
Officials reported that no ceasefire violations or drone sightings occurred overnight in any sector, particularly in the worst-hit border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. “The guns have fallen silent. It was a peaceful night after days of fear and destruction,” a senior official stated.
Residents, who had been confined indoors amid shelling and drone attacks, woke up to a peaceful Sunday morning and cautiously began resuming normal life in border villages and towns. Schools, markets, and transport services reopened in several areas.
The recent hostilities began after India retaliated to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, by targeting terror camps and infrastructure inside Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, escalating tensions to a level not seen in years.
The understanding to cease hostilities has brought a much-needed pause, though tensions remain high, with both sides maintaining high operational readiness along the border.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and border residents remain wary but hopeful that peace will hold.