India-Pakistan Ceasefire Extended to May 18 Amid Renewed Diplomatic Signals:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Following recent escalations that threatened the prospect of an all-out war, India and Pakistan have agreed to extend their ceasefire agreement until May 18. A senior Pakistani official has confirmed the extension as both parties seek to quell the conflict.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated in Parliament that his government would observe the ceasefire in full hoping that it would set a foundation for more extensive dialogue.

Focus is placed on military level engagement only

The Indian Army has articulated that it continues to work towards confidence-building measures with Pakistan aimed at reducing the heightened military tension. However, Indian officials have placed restrictions on official engagement at the level of DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations).

As reported by The Hindustan Times, India will not partake in discussions on contentious subjects like Kashmir or the Indus Waters Treaty for the time being.

History: From Pahalgam Attack to Operation Sindoor

Tensions were reignited on the 22nd of April from a vicious terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that resulted in the death of 26 civilians. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7th aimed at all terror camps within the Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir regions.

The implementation of strikes from one side led to several days of hot and cold skirmishes across the border on both sides of the Line of control. This heightened the tension until both parties accepted a truce on the 10th of May.

Diplomatic Efforts Trigger the Ceasefire

The first phase of the ceasefire was reached when DGMO of Pakistan spoke with Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai from the Indian side. Both sides also decided collectively so that no further efforts would be made to breach ceasefire terms, mutually opting for a shot free border.

This communication from military level is said to still be the primary source of relative calm on both sides.

Pakistani Leadership Offers Peace Negotiation

On one hand, while attending an event in Kamra, Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif pointed towards needed for the peace talks to commence with India. He added that the topics of discussion should include the territorial conflict of Kashmir.