India has accused Pakistan of breaching a ceasefire agreement, asserting that it is retaliating, just hours after US President Donald Trump indicated that the nuclear-armed neighbors had distanced themselves from the brink of full-scale war.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri claimed there have been “repeated violations,” stating that India’s “armed forces are providing an adequate and appropriate response to these violations.”
Conversely, Pakistan declared that it “remains committed to the faithful implementation” of the ceasefire agreed upon with India.
In its response, the Pakistani foreign ministry accused India of committing its own violations, asserting that its forces “are managing the situation with responsibility and restraint.”
“We believe that any issues regarding the smooth execution of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels.
“Troops on the ground must also exercise restraint,” a statement read.
Earlier, AFP staff in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, reported a series of loud explosions.
A senior official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir informed AFP that “intermittent exchanges of fire are ongoing” across the de facto border in the contested region, known as the Line of Control (LoC).
More details were not immediately accessible, and independent verification of the claims was not possible.
The allegations came after Pakistan and India had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire following days of deadly attacks involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery, which resulted in at least 60 deaths and caused thousands of civilians to flee their homes along the border and in divided Kashmir.
This news was surprisingly announced by Mr. Trump.
Pakistani individuals showered rose petals as they celebrated the ceasefire announcement.
“Following a lengthy night of discussions mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries for exercising common sense and intelligence,” Mr. Trump posted.
Mr. Misri earlier stated that both sides would “cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea” effective from 5 PM (12:30 PM Irish time).
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed that his country “appreciates” the US intervention.
“Pakistan believes this signifies a new beginning in resolving issues that have hindered the region and obstructed its path to peace, prosperity, and stability,” he wrote.
Escalating attacks and counterattacks
The conflict was ignited by an assault last month on the Indian-administered side of Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, primarily Hindu men, which India attributed to Pakistan.
India has accused the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—a UN-designated terrorist organization—of executing the attack, while Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation.
Militant operations have surged in Kashmir since 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government revoked the region’s limited autonomy, placing it under direct rule from New Delhi.
The countries have engaged in multiple wars over the territory, which both claim in its entirety but administer separately since gaining independence from British rule in 1947.
“The ceasefire is a positive development,” remarked Bilal Shabbir, an IT consultant in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, prior to claims that the truce had been breached.
“In war, it’s not just soldiers who perish; it’s primarily civilians—and in this case, it would have been the people of Kashmir.”
Superpowers prioritize their interests in the India-Pakistan conflict
In Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, resident Sukesh Khajuria expressed a more cautious outlook.
“The ceasefire is welcome, but it’s challenging to place trust in Pakistan. Vigilance is necessary,” he stated.
Both nations will incur significant economic costs due to the conflict.
Pakistani military sources claimed that their forces shot down at least 77 Israeli-made high-tech drones—debris from some of which was observed by AFP reporters—while Indian officials stated they had destroyed hundreds of Pakistani drones, many of which were Turkish-made.
Indian airstrikes targeted an airbase in Pakistan
Pakistan also asserted that it downed five Indian warplanes, including three French Rafale fighter jets; however, India has not confirmed any losses.
Independent verification of claims from either side has proven challenging.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the ceasefire was reached following engagement with senior officials from both sides, along with Vice President JD Vance.
He also announced on X, formerly Twitter, that they had agreed to “commence discussions on a broad array of issues at a neutral location.”
The announcement of the ceasefire was met with international relief amid rising calls in recent days for both countries to retreat from the edge of conflict.
China, which shares borders with both India and Pakistan, expressed its willingness to continue playing a constructive role and remained concerned about potential escalations, as reported by state news agency Xinhua, mentioning that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had spoken to officials in both nations.
The UK, the former colonial power in the Indian subcontinent and home to a significant diaspora from both nations, also welcomed the truce, along with UN chief Antonio Guterres.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei urged both nations “to seize this opportunity to ensure a reduction in tensions and establish lasting peace in the region.”
