India-Pakistan Ceasefire Talks Scheduled Amid Operation Sindoor Tensions

 New Delhi/Islamabad, May 12, 2025 — As tensions persist following India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military campaign launched against Pakistan-based militant targets after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces have affirmed their readiness to counter any further provocations. The operation, initiated on May 7, targeted alleged terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, prompting a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

Ceasefire Talks Set for Today

The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan are scheduled to hold talks at 12:00 PM today to discuss the mutual understanding reached on May 10 to halt hostilities along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC). The dialogue aims to stabilize the volatile situation, which has seen significant military exchanges, civilian casualties, and infrastructure damage in both nations.

Indian Military Briefs on Operation Sindoor

In a press conference on May 11, India’s DGMO, accompanied by the Directors General of the Air Force and Navy, provided a detailed overview of Operation Sindoor. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, confirmed that Indian forces conducted precise strikes across multiple targets in Pakistan, including the Rahimyar Khan airbase, footage of which was presented during the briefing. “Our operations targeted terrorist networks and their support infrastructure, not the Pakistan military,” Bharti stated. “Regrettably, Pakistan’s military intervention in defense of these elements necessitated a proportionate response.”

The Indian armed forces emphasized their combat readiness, with officials warning that any further “misadventure” by Pakistan would be met with a decisive counteraction. The briefing underscored India’s strategic objectives: neutralizing terrorist threats and signaling zero tolerance for cross-border militancy.

Security and Humanitarian Developments

Amid ongoing tensions, Indian security personnel successfully defused an unexploded explosive device, reportedly launched from Pakistan, along the LoC. The incident highlights the continued risk of ceasefire violations, with both sides accusing each other of breaches since the May 10 agreement.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Poonch District Hospital to meet civilians injured in recent cross-border shelling. Abdullah assured the victims of comprehensive medical care and full administrative support, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their welfare.

High-Level Strategic Deliberations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg on May 11 to review the situation. Attendees included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The meeting focused on assessing Operation Sindoor’s outcomes, the ceasefire’s implementation, and India’s diplomatic and military posture moving forward.

Context and Regional Impact

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly Hindu tourists, and was attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups. India’s strikes targeted nine alleged terrorist sites, including camps in Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and Chakwal, resulting in reported damages to Pakistan’s military and civilian infrastructure. Pakistan acknowledged losses, including 31 deaths in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and condemned the strikes as violations of its sovereignty.

The ceasefire, mediated by the United States and supported by over three dozen nations, has brought a tentative pause to hostilities. However, reports of intermittent shelling and economic disruptions—such as a 2.2% drop in Pakistan’s stock index and a 0.5% weakening of India’s rupee—underscore the fragility of the truce.

Today’s DGMO talks represent a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, whose rivalry over Kashmir has fueled multiple conflicts. International stakeholders, including the United Nations and major powers, have urged both nations to prioritize diplomacy to prevent further escalation. As the region watches closely, the outcome of these discussions will shape the trajectory of India-Pakistan relations in the coming weeks.