India
and
Pakistan
have consented to a truce, aiming to conclude the most significant military clash between these two nuclear-capable adversaries in many years—however, accounts of blasts in Indian-controlled Kashmir following the agreement underscored the precarious nature of the situation.
A short time following the ceasefire announcement made by Donald Trump after US-mediated discussions, explosions could be heard in
Srinagar
and
Jammu
In the region of Indian-controlled Kashmir, projectiles and luminous flashes were observed in the nighttime sky above Jammu, as reported by officials and locals alike.
The Indian Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, charged Pakistan with breaking the accord, whereas Pakistan’s foreign ministry maintained their commitment to the ceasefire and pointed fingers at Indian forces for instigating the breach.
Following mutual accusations from India and Pakistan regarding cross-border missile attacks aimed at significant military sites on Saturday, a truce was established. This situation caused widespread concern that it could spiral into an extensive armed conflict.
This week’s conflict escalated on Wednesday when Indian rockets hit seven locations within Pakistan, resulting in 31 fatalities. These attacks from India came as retaliation for an incident at the end of last month where 25 Hindu visitors and their tour guide lost their lives in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India attributed this violence to militants supported by Pakistan, but Islamabad refuted these claims.
Just as the situation seemed to be spiralling out of control, the US president announced that a ceasefire had been agreed.
After extensive negotiations facilitated by the United States throughout the night, I’m delighted to share that India and Pakistan have concurred with a TOTAL AND INSTANT CEASEFIRE,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account. “A big congratulations goes out to both nations for employing Good Judgment and High Intellect.
This confirmation came from both Indian and Pakistani ministers shortly after. According to an interview with Geo News, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that over thirty nations participated in the diplomatic efforts leading to the comprehensive and “not partial” ceasefire agreement.
The Indian foreign secretary stated that the militaries of both nations had communicated with their respective chiefs and concurred that all hostilities would cease by 5 pm local time (11:30 am GMT), avoiding the use of the term “ceasefire.”
Mr. Dar informed Geo News that communication lines and direct contact methods between the Indian and Pakistani militaries had been established, and approximately three dozen nations assisted in mediating this accord.
Mr Misri, India’s top diplomat, said the two military chiefs would speak to each other again on Monday.
Prior to the ceasefire declaration, military aircraft and missiles illuminated the sky throughout the night in areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir and Punjab state. Residents reported extremely loud explosions in various cities, including.
Amritsar
,
Jammu
and
Srinagar
.
Artillery fire from Pakistani troops resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals.
Jammu
And they evacuated numerous villages near the border as residents escaped to more secure locations, according to officials.
Jammu city has never faced such an attack before,” said Rajeev Gupta, a 60-year-old resident whose brother was injured due to shell fire. He spoke with Reuters. “I never imagined we would experience something like this.
In
Srinagar
Residents reported that the explosions experienced during the night felt different from earlier drone strikes and seemed focused mainly on military facilities.
Mohammed Yasin, a local inhabitant, informed the Associated Press that his kids were awakened by the explosions. “They began to cry,” he stated.
In Pakistan, authorities stated that Indian missiles had struck three airbases – Nur Khan in
Rawalpindi
In Chakwal and Rafiqui within the Jhang district—early on Saturday—a military spokesperson stated that their air defense systems had successfully intercepted most of the missiles, with no damage incurred to any air force assets.
US Secretary of State
Marco Rubio
mentioned that he and Vice President JD Vance interacted with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani leader Shehbaz Sharif, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, along with both National Security Advisers within just 48 hours.
On a post made on X, previously known as Twitter, Mr. Rubio praised both Mr. Modi and Mr. Sharif for reaching this agreement. He mentioned that the deal encompassed more than just an instant truce; it also initiated discussions covering “a wide range of topics” at a non-partisan location.
India and Pakistan have been entangled in a conflict over Kashmir from the time of India’s partition following the end of British colonial rule in 1947. While Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan each govern parts of Kashmir, they both assert full sovereignty over the region.
They have engaged in warfare thrice, with two conflicts specifically centered around Kashmir, along with several minor skirmishes. India holds Pakistan responsible for instigating an uprising in Indian-administered Kashmir starting in 1989, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands. Additionally, India attributes terrorist assaults within its borders to Pakistani extremist organizations.
Pakistan denies both accusations. It maintains that it offers only moral, political, and diplomatic backing to Kashmiri separatists.
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