Pakistan Refutes Ceasefire Violations Amid Escalating Border Tensions
Pakistan has refuted India's allegations of breaching a recently established US-mediated ceasefire on Saturday. This development comes as both countries exchanged accusations in the wake of fresh drone strikes and fatal explosions in Jammu and Kashmir, raising serious concerns about the ceasefire's sustainability.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar firmly dismissed allegations on Saturday that Islamabad had violated the recently established ceasefire agreement with India. His rebuttal came in response to statements from Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who earlier asserted that Pakistan had infringed upon the accord reached by the two countries just hours before.
In a statement issued by Misri, it was reported that several breaches have occurred over the last three hours concerning the agreement reached earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan. Misri described the incidents as a violation of the understanding established earlier today, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The armed forces are responding with necessary and proportionate measures, underscoring the serious regard with which these violations are being addressed.
The situation on the ground continued to be tense, as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah verified reports of significant explosions in Srinagar, according to Reuters. Witnesses also reported to the news agency that “drone attacks on a town in Jammu” occurred mere hours following the declaration of a ceasefire.
In the face of rising accusations, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif adopted a resolute stance, asserting that Pakistan is fully entitled to deliver an appropriate response to what he described as an act of war imposed by India, and affirmed that a robust reply is currently underway.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that his nation has “overcome the adversary,” commending the military for its “forceful and highly professional response” to what he termed as “Indian aggression.”
Sharif intensified his criticism of New Delhi’s military maneuvers, labeling them as “an unjustified war,” and denouncing India’s actions as “disgraceful.” He further acknowledged and commended the United States for its diplomatic interventions that facilitated the ceasefire, emphasizing that the accord had been embraced to promote peace and stability in the region.
He emphasized that the agreement represents a significant step toward resolving longstanding regional challenges and advancing efforts for peace, prosperity, and stability.
The waters treaty between India and Pakistan remains inactive, despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire arranged by the United States earlier today aimed to halt the most lethal escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. Nearly 60 civilians from both sides were reported killed in the recent outbreak of violence, which commenced on April 22 after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India has accused Pakistan of being responsible for the attack, a claim that Islamabad has strongly refuted.
