As Pak violates ceasefire along LoC, India mulls withdrawing from 2021 agreement

Srinagar: In a major escalation, the Pakistani Army opened fire at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, violating the ceasefire agreement that has largely held since February 2021.

“There were incidents of small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control initiated by Pakistan,” PTI quoted an unnamed source. “The firing was effectively responded to.”

The Indian Army described the firing as “unprovoked” and “deliberate,” marking a significant deterioration in the fragile calm along the border in the wake of the recent deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. Indian forces responded with “measured and effective” retaliation, officials said.

Top government sources said New Delhi is now “seriously considering” withdrawing from the February 2021 ceasefire agreement if violations continue.

“New Delhi may formally announce the cessation of the ceasefire in the days to come, as Pakistan has consistently failed to uphold its commitments along both the Line of Control and the International Border,” a senior official said.

This latest development comes amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, believed to have been carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Intelligence inputs have also indicated increased infiltration attempts and movement of terrorist groups near launch pads across the LoC.

Sources said the situation is being closely monitored, and high-level reviews are underway to decide the next course of action. “The Army is fully prepared to deal with any contingency. The operational posture has been tightened,” an official said.

The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on February 25, 2021, was seen as a rare diplomatic success in India-Pakistan relations in recent years. However, prevailing tensions after the Pahalgam attack have put the arrangement under severe strain.