New Delhi, May 10 -- Within hours of the ceasefire declaration, Pakistan violated the agreement, prompting India to demand that Islamabad act responsibly and rein in the breaches, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said late Saturday night.

Despite the high-stakes diplomatic development, Pakistan resorted to escalation by hitting several areas in the bordering states, sparking fresh concerns over the ground reality and the true scope of the ceasefire agreement.

Misri described the violations as "a breach of the understanding" arrived at earlier today.

The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation," he said, adding that "the Indian armed forces have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition...