India and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Intense Fighting
India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors with a long history of conflict, agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday following strong U.S. diplomatic efforts. Despite this, explosions were reported within hours in the main cities of Indian Kashmir, the epicenter of four days of fighting.
Authorities, residents, and eyewitnesses reported blasts in Srinagar and Jammu, with projectiles and flashes lighting up Jammu’s night sky, echoing the previous evening’s events.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire understanding reached earlier that day. “We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,” he said during a media briefing.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, denied any ceasefire breaches, stating on national television that “As of now, there have not been any ceasefire violations.” The Pakistani military spokesperson has yet to comment.
Background to the Ceasefire Agreement
The recent clashes marked the worst fighting between India and Pakistan in nearly 30 years, raising fears of a full-scale war in one of the world’s most sensitive and densely populated regions. At one point, concerns grew that nuclear weapons might come into play after Pakistan’s military mentioned a meeting of its nuclear oversight body. However, the defense minister later clarified that no such meeting was scheduled.
By the time the ceasefire was announced, the combined civilian death toll from the cross-border attacks had reached 66. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar posted on X, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
Earlier, Indian officials said the military chiefs of both countries spoke and agreed to stop all fighting by 5 p.m. Indian time, though they avoided using the word “ceasefire.” U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the development on social media, praising both nations for using “Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
Diplomatic Channels and Ongoing Challenges
Foreign Minister Dar revealed that military hotlines and diplomatic channels between India and Pakistan were reactivated, with help from over thirty countries facilitating the agreement. The recent flare-up began after India launched strikes on what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani Kashmir, two weeks after a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir.
Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack. However, the days that followed saw heavy cross-border fire, shelling, and missile attacks.
Despite the ceasefire, sources from the Indian government noted that punitive measures like suspending trade and canceling visas would remain for now. Additionally, the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing agreement suspended by India after the attack, will stay in abeyance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he and Vice President JD Vance engaged extensively with leaders from both countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, over 48 hours to help broker the deal.
Next Steps and Lingering Tensions
Rubio also announced that the ceasefire agreement included plans for future talks on a “broad set of issues at a neutral site.” The news brought relief on both sides, and Pakistan reopened its airspace fully.
Yet, the reported violations shortly after the ceasefire alarmed many in India. Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Indian Kashmir, posted on X, “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!! This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up.”
The Kashmir dispute has long been a source of conflict since India and Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries claim the region in full, despite each governing parts of it. They have fought three wars and numerous smaller clashes over Kashmir.
India accuses Pakistan of supporting an insurgency in its Kashmir territory that started in 1989 and of backing Islamist militant groups responsible for attacks across India. Pakistan denies these allegations, insisting it only provides moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri separatists.