India and Pakistan exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations shortly after US President Donald Trump declared that the nuclear-armed neighbors had de-escalated tensions.
India’s foreign secretary stated that it responded to Pakistan’s “repeated violations” of the truce, while Pakistan insisted it “remains committed” to the ceasefire, claiming its forces were handling Indian violations with “responsibility and restraint.”
AFP reporters in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, reported loud explosions in the area.
A senior official in Pakistani-administered Kashmir informed AFP that “intermittent exchanges of fire are ongoing” across the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region.
Yesterday, both countries had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after days of deadly attacks involving jet fighters, missiles, drones, and artillery, which resulted in at least 60 fatalities and forced thousands to flee their homes along the border and in divided Kashmir.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a press briefing in New Delhi.
The announcement came unexpectedly from Mr. Trump.
“After a long night of talks 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 using Common Sense and Great Intelligence,” Mr. Trump tweeted.
India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri remarked that both sides would “cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea” effective from 5pm local time.
He later accused Pakistan of “repeated violations” and asserted that the Indian forces “are providing a suitable and proportional response.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign ministry stated it “remains committed to faithfully implementing” the truce.
“Despite the violations committed by India in some areas, our forces are managing the situation with responsibility and restraint,” it added.
‘Vigilant’
The conflict was triggered by an attack last month on the Indian-administered side of Kashmir that resulted in 26 tourist deaths, which India credited to Pakistan.
India held the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—a UN-designated terrorist organization—responsible for the attack, but Pakistan has denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.
Militants have intensified operations in Kashmir since 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government revoked the region’s limited autonomy and placed it under direct Indian governance.
The two countries have engaged in several wars over the territory, which both claim fully but administer separate portions since their independence from British rule in 1947.
“The ceasefire is a positive development,” remarked Bilal Shabbir, an IT consultant in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
“In warfare, civilians predominantly suffer, and in this instance, it would have been the people of Kashmir,” he added.
In Srinagar, local resident Sukesh Khajuria expressed caution.
“While the ceasefire is appreciated, trusting Pakistan is challenging. We must remain vigilant,” he stated.
Pakistani nationals waved their national flag in celebration following the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India.
Read more: India vows response after claims Pakistan breached truce
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the ceasefire emerged after he and Vice President JD Vance engaged with senior officials from both nations.
Mr. Rubio also noted on X that both sides had agreed to “initiate discussions on a wide array of issues in a neutral venue.”
On X, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his nation—long advocating for international mediation in Kashmir—”appreciates” the US intervention.
However, India has consistently opposed mediation, leading observers to express skepticism regarding the truce.
“The ceasefire was hastily arranged at a time when tensions were extremely high,” US-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman commented on X following reports of violations.
“India seems to have interpreted the agreement differently than the US and Pakistan, and is likely not inclined towards the broader talks it suggests. Upholding the ceasefire will present challenges,” he cautioned.
News of the ceasefire was received with relief from nations including Britain and Iran, as well as the United Nations.
China, which shares borders with both India and Pakistan, expressed its willingness to “continue playing a constructive role” and remained concerned about any escalation, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.
