Hours after CM Omar welcomes truce, explosions, drone attacks rattle Valley

Just hours after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire agreement to end a four-day-long military confrontation, fresh tensions erupted across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening, as explosions and drone sightings triggered panic in several parts of the Valley.

Multiple explosions were reported in Srinagar and surrounding areas following what officials described as “drone activity” detected across the region. Air defence systems were immediately activated and engaged, reportedly bringing down several drones spotted near sensitive military installations.

“A drone was detected hovering over the Batwara area of Srinagar, close to an Army installation. Air defence units opened fire and successfully neutralised it,” a senior official said. Blasts were also heard in rapid succession, lighting up the skies and alarming residents in Srinagar. Locals in the Shivpora area near the military garrison reported loud explosions followed by brief gunfire and a sudden blackout. Similar reports came in from other parts of the Valley, including Anantnag, Baramulla, Verinag, Safapora, and Bandipora, where drones were reportedly sighted or shot down.

In Baramulla, a drone was destroyed around 8:20 pm, while another was neutralised at a high ground near an Army installation in Anantnag.

The sudden spike in military activity came despite a formal announcement earlier in the day that both India and Pakistan had agreed to an immediate cessation of military operations across land, air, and sea. The truce was widely welcomed by political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir as a step toward peace.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had earlier praised the ceasefire decision, voiced concern over the renewed violence. “This is no ceasefire,” he wrote on X. “The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up. What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!”

In a video post, Omar said he heard the explosions himself and expressed disappointment that the situation had escalated so soon after hopes for peace were raised.

Meanwhile, ceasefire violations were reported from Akhnoor, Sunderbani, and Mendhar sectors in the Jammu region. Sources said Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing, which was met with retaliation by Indian forces. In contrast, border villages in north Kashmir remained calm as of late Saturday evening.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, reacting to the developments, said the ceasefire must be seen not as a one-time event but a “fragile hope” for long-term peace.

“There are warmongers who fear peace more than war. But let compassion rise above hatred, and wisdom silence the drums of war,” she said.

“May this ceasefire be the beginning of a future where peace is not the exception but the norm.”

The initial ceasefire agreement had brought widespread relief, especially in regions like Jammu city, Poonch, and Tangdhar, which had suffered intense shelling. Deputy Commissioners were tasked with assessing damage and initiating relief measures, while plans were underway to resume stalled Hajj flights.