A fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan appeared to hold overnight into Sunday, following days of the worst military escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades, reports BBC.
However, both sides accused each other of violations shortly after the deal was reached.
The US-brokered ceasefire, announced on Saturday by US President Donald Trump via his Truth Social platform, came after a week of intense cross-border strikes involving drones, missiles, and heavy artillery.
The violence erupted following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month, which left 26 tourists dead — 25 Indians and one Nepali — and for which India blames Pakistan-based militants. Pakistan has denied any involvement.
President Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for agreeing to the "full and immediate" ceasefire, claiming "millions of lives could have been lost" without the truce.
He said the deal was secured after extensive US diplomatic efforts and involvement from "three dozen countries."
Explosions were still reported in Indian-administered Kashmir's Srinagar and Jammu late Saturday, hours after the ceasefire announcement. Both nations accused each other of breaching the truce.
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla Misri alleged "repeated violations" by Pakistan and warned that India would deliver an "appropriate response."
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said it remained committed to the agreement "notwithstanding the violations being committed by India in some areas."
Kashmir — claimed in full by both countries but administered in parts — has long been a flashpoint for India-Pakistan tensions. The region has been the centre of two major wars between the neighbours since their independence from British rule in 1947.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed the ceasefire agreement and said both sides had "worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action," adding that India would maintain its tough stance on terrorism.
In a national address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the ceasefire a move made "for the benefit of everybody," and urged restraint on the ground.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that he and Vice-President JD Vance had spent 48 hours in direct talks with Indian and Pakistani officials, including both prime ministers, to secure the deal. He also announced that the two sides had agreed to begin broader peace talks at a neutral location.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the ceasefire, with the latter noting that the UK had been "engaged" in backchannel diplomacy in recent days.
While the ceasefire holds for now, the situation remains tense. India claims its strikes were a response to terrorism and a demonstration of accountability. Pakistan has condemned the attacks as "unprovoked," reporting 36 deaths on its side since Wednesday. India has reported at least 21 civilian casualties from Pakistani shelling.
As world leaders urge calm, all eyes are now on whether the truce can evolve into a lasting peace.
Comments