Explosions Reported in Srinagar Following Ceasefire; Omar Abdullah Responds

Dubela, Anuja Chakraborty:  Just hours after India and Pakistan agreed to uphold the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC), sparking hopes for peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, loud explosions were heard across Srinagar, causing panic among residents. The ceasefire, announced by both governments and acknowledged by US President Donald Trump, was meant to de-escalate rising tensions. However, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah quickly took to X, expressing his concerns, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar,” he wrote.

Sources confirmed that the explosions and shelling activity stopped by 9:52 PM. Meanwhile, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, posting on X, reported that drones were spotted in Kutch district. The Border Security Force (BSF) also posted about the tragic death of sub-inspector Md Imteyaz during cross-border firing in Jammu’s RS Pura area.

Despite the unsettling developments, the Ludhiana District Commissioner assured there was no immediate cause for concern. He mentioned that a blackout might be enforced if the situation escalates, but for now, armed forces and district officials are closely monitoring the situation. Similarly, the Patiala DC downplayed the threat, stating that any serious danger would be communicated to the public in advance.

In Amritsar, the DC confirmed reports of ceasefire violations, noting that a blackout would only be implemented if necessary. These incidents have raised concerns over the stability of the newly reaffirmed ceasefire.