- U.S. Diplomacy Prevails: Washington mediates a temporary ceasefire effective until May 12, averting wider escalation.
- $90 Billion Indian Losses: Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos delivers heavy blows to Indian military infrastructure.
- Air Superiority Proven: Pakistan downed five Indian jets, including a Rafale, and neutralized over 80 drones.
- Cyber Warfare in Play: Pakistani cyber attacks disrupted 70% of India’s power infrastructure during conflict.
- Diplomatic Next Steps: National Security Advisors to meet in a neutral country, with Kashmir and Indus Waters on the agenda.
By Islamabad Telegraph Staff | 10 May 2025 | 0900 hrs
In a major breakthrough following weeks of high-intensity military exchanges, India and Pakistan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, effective until May 12, 2025. The deal, mediated primarily by the United States, represents a cautious step toward de-escalation after a brutal flare-up that saw unprecedented military retaliation by Pakistan.
The U.S. role in halting the conflict has drawn international attention, with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised in Islamabad for their intervention. The Foreign Office of Pakistan officially lauded Washington’s “constructive efforts,” adding that Pakistan “appreciates President Trump’s expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
This temporary ceasefire agreement, however, is fragile. Sources say that if both sides fail to formalize a broader ceasefire agreement by May 12, the hostilities could resume. Talks are expected to begin within the next three months, with national security advisors (NSAs) from both countries scheduled to meet in a neutral third country—likely Qatar. These talks will reportedly cover core disputes, including the Kashmir conflict and the Indus Waters Treaty, both longstanding flashpoints in Indo-Pak relations.
Pakistan’s Decisive Military Retaliation
Experts assert that India was forced into accepting the ceasefire due to the scale and impact of Pakistan’s retaliatory operations. According to sources within Pakistan’s military command, the Indian Armed Forces suffered losses exceeding USD $90 billion. These losses stemmed primarily from Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos, Pakistan’s swift and surgical military response to India’s unprovoked aggression on the night of May 6/7.
During this period, India launched attacks based on unsubstantiated counterterrorism claims related to the Pahalgam incident. Despite Pakistan offering an independent investigation, India struck civilian and military targets. In response, Pakistan downed five Indian aircraft, including a Rafale jet, and killed three Indian pilots. Pakistan also struck Indian military installations with pinpoint accuracy—hitting battalion and brigade headquarters, and key airbases such as Srinagar, Udhampur, Pathankot, Sirsa, and Bhatinda.
“The precision of our strikes and the fact that we avoided civilian casualties speak to the discipline and technological sophistication of our forces,” a senior Pakistani defense official told The Islamabad Telegraph.
Moreover, Pakistan’s cyber capabilities were on full display. Numerous Indian websites were defaced, and nearly 70% of India’s power grid infrastructure suffered disruptions. Over 80 Indian drones, including Israeli-made HAROPs, were shot down during the conflict, further underscoring Pakistan’s air defense efficiency.
Global Pressure and Indian Miscalculation
India’s miscalculation was rooted in the assumption that Pakistan, under pressure from economic recovery efforts and global diplomacy, would refrain from a large-scale retaliation. But with the post of National Security Adviser newly assigned to Lt. Gen. Asim Malik (DG ISI) on April 30, Pakistan’s military-diplomatic machinery quickly aligned to deliver a coordinated response.
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The retaliatory attacks targeted high-value military assets and left India facing reputational, strategic, and economic damage. This, in turn, prompted swift international calls for de-escalation. Saudi Arabia, China, the United Kingdom, and Iran joined the U.S. in pushing both nuclear-armed neighbors toward restraint.
Experts suggest that foreign investor confidence in India—widely seen as the world’s fourth-largest economy—was beginning to waver amid rising instability. Additionally, the closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian commercial flights had started hurting Indian airlines in an already competitive aviation environment.
India’s regional isolation may have also factored in. With Pakistan deepening strategic ties with China, Iran, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, New Delhi’s reluctance to embrace regional diplomacy left it increasingly vulnerable. Furthermore, Pakistan’s use of Chinese military technology, especially air defense systems and drones, raised red flags for the U.S., concerned about China’s growing footprint in South Asia.
Ceasefire Under Fragile Terms
The temporary ceasefire is not a peace treaty. It merely halts hostilities to create space for high-level diplomatic engagement. Analysts warn that the truce is conditional on both countries signing a formal ceasefire agreement, and that talks must begin soon to prevent another spiral of violence.
More Read:Pakistan Strikes Back with Operation Bunyanu’l-Marsous: Key Indian Military Installations Destroyed in Precision Retaliation
Pakistani officials have made it clear that Islamabad seeks a permanent peace rooted in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Foreign Office emphasized that “any just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute must ensure the realization of the inalienable right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.”
Despite public bravado from New Delhi, India has yet to offer credible evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack—the very pretext for its initial aggression. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s retaliatory operation is being recognized globally for its effectiveness and proportionality, as acknowledged in international media coverage by BBC, Reuters, and other outlets.
A Moment of Reckoning
The agreement brokered on May 10, 2025, could represent a turning point. But history warns of many false starts in India-Pakistan diplomacy. Both countries face internal political and public pressures that complicate rational discourse. For Pakistan, however, the message is clear: it is open to peace but prepared for war.
The appointment of DG ISI Asim Malik as NSA underscores Pakistan’s commitment to managing both military and diplomatic fronts with equal seriousness. With the National Command Authority (NCA) meeting recently convened in Islamabad, the Pakistani leadership has reaffirmed that further Indian aggression will be met with an even fiercer response—potentially targeting Indian economic assets next.
As things stand, the ceasefire is a narrow window of opportunity that both sides—and the world—would be wise not to squander. For now, Pakistan has demonstrated both its resolve and capability, while signaling a preference for peace grounded in justice.