New Delhi: In a desperate attempt to save face, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stood before the nation, declaring the recent ceasefire with India as a “historic victory” — a laughable claim given the circumstances. Even as Pakistani forces struggled to contain Indian counterstrikes, Sharif spun a tale of triumph, crediting his military for a “professional and effective” response. Behind the curtain of his boastful rhetoric, however, the reality was far less flattering — Pakistan’s military had quietly reached out for de-escalation, pleading for calm. But Sharif, a leader more comfortable with empty theatrics than responsible leadership, chose to mask his country’s embarrassment with loud proclamations, trying to pass off a forced ceasefire as a glorious win.
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The ceasefire, which took effect on Saturday evening, followed days of heightened cross-border tensions. However, Sharif’s portrayal contrasted sharply with India’s stance, which described the agreement as a mutual halt to hostilities without any concessions. Indian officials revealed that it was Pakistan’s military leadership that initiated the call for de-escalation, requesting a cessation of fighting.
Sharif accused India of using the April 22 Pahlagam attack as a pretext for aggression, claiming Pakistan’s armed forces had “silenced” Indian military assets—a claim India has strongly denied. New Delhi maintained that its operations were precise counter-terror strikes in response to earlier unprovoked actions from Pakistan.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions flared again within hours, with reports of explosions in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district and drone activity near the Line of Control (LoC). Indian forces were placed on high alert after artillery shelling in Akhnoor, Rajouri, and RS Pura sectors. Air defense systems were activated in Rajouri and Srinagar after multiple drone sightings, with four drones reportedly shot down near an Army headquarters.
