After violating ceasefire it pleaded for, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif declares ‘victory’

Why Is Shehbaz Sharif Claiming Victory After Seeking a Ceasefire?

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif‘s late-night speech declaring “victory” and praising the “valour” of Pakistani troops has sparked sharp international and domestic scrutiny, coming just hours after Pakistan’s own military initiated a ceasefire with India. The ceasefire, confirmed by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, was the result of a direct call placed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan to his Indian counterpart.

Yet within hours of agreeing to halt further military escalation, Pakistan launched a coordinated wave of drone attacks on multiple Indian locations. These strikes, targeting areas across the Jammu region, occurred even as Sharif was extolling the courage of his troops on national television, creating a jarring contrast between diplomatic intent and military aggression.

What Did Shehbaz Sharif Say in His Victory Speech?

In his national address, Prime Minister Sharif claimed that the Pakistani military had successfully defended the nation, asserting that “our troops have shown exceptional valour.” He described the outcome as a “strategic success,” without referencing the direct damages inflicted upon Pakistan’s military infrastructure by India’s Operation Sindoor hours earlier.

Notably, Sharif omitted the fact that the ceasefire was proposed not by India but by Pakistan’s own military establishment, suggesting either a deliberate attempt to control the narrative domestically or a disconnect between the civilian leadership and the military’s operational realities. The PM’s public gratitude towards the United States for its role in “peace efforts” also failed to mention that Islamabad was the first mover in the ceasefire proposal.

Indian officials swiftly contradicted Sharif’s narrative, asserting that multiple air bases in Pakistan had suffered significant damage during retaliatory strikes on Saturday morning. These operations were carried out in response to Pakistan’s use of drones and missile systems against Indian positions following the start of Operation Sindoor—a military action India described as justified and proportionate.

How Did Pakistan Violate the Ceasefire It Proposed?

Despite the ceasefire being initiated by Pakistan and acknowledged by both countries’ DGMOs, Islamabad breached the agreement less than three hours later. Drone attacks were launched across key border districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including Udhampur, Akhnoor, Nowshera, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Jammu, Sunderbani, RS Pura, Arnia, Kathua, and Kutch.

These attacks occurred in the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire announcement, undermining the credibility of Pakistan’s military overture. The Indian side confirmed that defence units had been placed on high alert and air defence systems activated in response to the sudden provocation. Preliminary assessments indicated that while some drones were neutralized, the incursion represented a serious breach of trust and operational decorum.

Foreign Secretary Misri stated that “very, very serious note” had been taken of the violations, warning that India’s response would be adequate and measured. He further indicated that Indian forces have been directed to remain prepared for any future aggression.

How Has India Responded to the Breach?

India has refrained from issuing an immediate retaliatory military response but has not ruled out further action. Misri reiterated India’s red line—that any future act of terrorism or violation of its territorial sovereignty will be treated as an act of war. India continues to maintain heightened readiness along the Line of Control and the International Border.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to comment directly on the breach, officials within the Ministry of Defence indicated that the Indian government views the situation with “utmost gravity.” A statement from the Indian Army confirmed that one sentry had been injured during a parallel terrorist infiltration at the Nagrota Military Station, with search operations ongoing.

This development suggests that India considers both the drone attacks and the infiltration attempt part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy being executed by Pakistan, one that undermines its stated commitment to peace.

Is There a Strategic Disconnect Between Pakistan’s Military and Civilian Leadership?

The conflicting signals from Pakistan—seeking a ceasefire through military channels, while its Prime Minister projects victory and escalates through drone warfare—have led observers to question the coherence of its national security strategy. Some regional analysts interpret the speech as a move to control domestic narratives in the face of internal criticism over military losses. Others view it as an attempt to distract from the fact that Pakistan had to initiate a ceasefire after sustaining heavy damage.

India’s retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor reportedly targeted Pakistan’s key air defence positions, radar systems, and logistics facilities. While Pakistani officials have not acknowledged the scale of the damage, Indian sources claim that the operation succeeded in crippling some of Islamabad’s forward military capacities.

The PM’s speech, delivered amid this backdrop of internal losses and external contradiction, may indicate a growing divide—or an attempt to strategically mask battlefield setbacks with rhetorical victories.

What Are the Implications for Future India-Pakistan Diplomacy?

Pakistan’s premature breach of the ceasefire agreement it initiated has further eroded trust in diplomatic engagements between the two nuclear-armed nations. Indian diplomatic sources noted that such contradictory actions severely weaken the case for dialogue and increase the risks of uncontrolled escalation. International stakeholders, including the United States and China, are closely monitoring the fallout, though no formal external statements had been made by the time of reporting.

Given the strategic volatility and the use of drones—a tactic with plausible deniability—Pakistan’s credibility as a peace-seeking actor is under renewed scrutiny. Any future backchannel talks or regional stabilisation efforts may now carry added layers of scepticism from New Delhi.

What Comes Next?

With both militaries in a state of high alert and diplomatic channels discredited within hours of engagement, the region remains on edge. The Indian government is reportedly conducting a fresh security review, with additional deployments being considered across sensitive districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Intelligence inputs suggest heightened threat levels in key forward zones, including Kupwara, Poonch, and Rajouri.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s internal discourse continues to be shaped by the Prime Minister’s assertions of triumph, even as operational facts point to significant military losses and international embarrassment. The contrast between speech and strategy—between “valour” and violation—has cast doubt not only on Pakistan’s intent but also on its capacity to manage de-escalation credibly.

India, for its part, appears committed to a policy of restrained preparedness, while reserving the right to respond with force if provoked further.