Omar Abdullah Questions Ceasefire Amid Fresh Explosions In Srinagar: 'What On Earth Just Happened?'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted sharply to reports of renewed shelling and explosions in Srinagar on Saturday evening, questioning, "What on earth just happened?"

This reaction followed an earlier ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which was supposed to bring an immediate end to all military operations from 5pm onwards.

Photo Credit: PTI

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Omar posted, "What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!"

He also shared a 44-second video recorded from his location, where the sound of loud blasts could clearly be heard in the pitch dark.

"This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up," he wrote in the accompanying caption.

Just hours after the US-brokered ceasefire agreement was announced, multiple blasts were reported in Srinagar, reflecting the fragile state of peace between the two nations.

Air raid sirens were triggered across the city, sending residents into panic. Similar disturbances were reported in Baramulla (North Kashmir) and Budgam (Central Kashmir).

In Punjab's Firozpur, local authorities reinstated a blackout, echoing previous safety measures. Residents were instructed to switch off all indoor and outdoor lighting and remain calm.

"There is no need to panic," the administration said, urging strict compliance with the already-issued safety protocols. People were again encouraged to keep their lights off as a precautionary measure.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had contacted his Indian counterpart earlier in the week. Both parties had agreed to halt all military activity-by land, sea, and air-from 5pm Indian Standard Time.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Misri said: "Pakistan's DGMO called the Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours this afternoon. It was mutually agreed that all firing and military operations-on land, at sea, and in the air-would cease as of 1700 hours IST."

He added: "Both sides have now issued instructions to implement the ceasefire. A follow-up conversation between the DGMOs has been scheduled for 12th May at 1200 hours."