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In the midst of rising tensions, with allegations of ongoing attacks and serious worries that the two nations might plunge into all-out warfare, India and Pakistan consented to an instant truce following negotiations led by the United States. However, as of late Saturday evening in India—several hours post confirmation of this ceasefire pact—there have been claims suggesting that the accord isn’t being fully adhered to.
President Donald Trump
made the initial announcement
On Saturday morning, following extensive negotiations mediated by the United States, Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “After lengthy discussions throughout the night, I’m delighted to report that India and Pakistan have committed to a complete and instant cessation of hostilities,” he stated. “Congrats to both nations for employing good judgment and remarkable wisdom. Thanks for addressing this issue!”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shaukat Ali Khan
confirmed the news
Shortly thereafter, through a post on X (previously known as Twitter), he stated: “Pakistan and India have reached an agreement for an immediate cease-fire. Pakistan has consistently aimed for peace and stability in the area, all while upholding its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided further details during a
news conference
, stating that both sides “agreed to cease all hostilities and military operations” starting at 5 p.m. IST according to WARNEWS(7:30 a.m. ET).
India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, was also
confirmed the agreement via a post on X
“Today, India and Pakistan reached an agreement on halting gunfire and military operations. India has steadfastly upheld a strong and unwavering position against all forms of terrorism. This commitment remains unchanged,” he stated.
News of the cease-fire came after India and Pakistan continued to accuse each other of strikes overnight into Saturday morning, prompting grave concern across the world that the rival countries may engage in a full-out war. There’s been a resurgence of tensions between the two countries in recent years, and things
escalated dramatically
after an April 22
terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir
resulted in multiple fatalities. The region of Kashmir has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since both gained their independence from Britain in 1947. The two countries control parts of the region but both claim it in full. India claimed that Pakistan supported and aided the April 22 attack in Kashmir, and launched “
Operation Sindoor
” in retaliation. Pakistan has denied involvement in the April 22 attack. Clashes have spiked since then, amounting to reports of
drone and missile strikes
. Amid the back-and-forth attacks, dozens of civilians have been reported killed on both sides.
Read More
:
India and Pakistan: A WARNEWSline of Tensions Over Kashmir
Hours after the cease-fire was announced on Saturday, explosions were heard across the cities of Srinagar and Jammu in India-administered Kashmir, the
Associated Press reported
.
Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir,
stated in a tweet on X
What the heck just occurred with the ceasefire? Explosions were reported throughout Srinagar.
The cause of the blasts has yet to be determined.
In a televised address on Saturday night, India’s Foreign Secretary accused Pakistan of violating the agreement. “For the last few hours there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the directors general of military operations of India and Pakistan,” Misri said,
according to CNN
. Pakistan officials have yet to comment.
On Saturday morning, providing further details into how the United States had mediated talks between India and Pakistan,
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared an update
via X. “Over the past 48 hours, [Vice President J.D.] Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik,” he said. “I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate cease-fire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.”
Vance
responded by saying
: “Great work from the President’s team, especially Secretary Rubio. And my gratitude to the leaders of India and Pakistan for their hard work and willingness to engage in this cease-fire.”
An update
shared on social media
by the Indian government did not mention U.S. involvement in the mediation talks. “India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries,” the statement read.
In contrast,
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the U.S
. turned to social media to convey appreciation towards Trump. “We extend our thanks to President Trump for his guidance and active efforts toward achieving peace in the area. We value the United States’ contribution in bringing about this result, which we embraced considering the greater good of regional tranquility and balance,” he stated.
Sharif proceeded to individually express his gratitude to Vance and Rubio for their “significant contributions towards peace in South Asia,” noting further that Pakistan views this as a “fresh start” aimed at resolving long-standing issues that have hindered the region’s path to peace, progress, and stability.
