On Saturday, India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, reached a ceasefire agreement following intense cross-border skirmishes that resulted in the loss of more than 60 lives over a span of four days.
The hostilities erupted following New Delhi’s offensive against what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” within Pakistan. This action was in response to a devastating assault that claimed the lives of 26 individuals in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, last month.
India has attributed the deadly attack on Hindu tourists on April 22 to armed groups based in Pakistan, a claim that Islamabad strongly denies, asserting it has no involvement in the incident.
The international community, including the United Nations and nations such as Bangladesh, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United Kingdom, have expressed approval for the truce facilitated by the collaborative efforts of over 30 countries.
Trump announced the agreement on Saturday through his Truth Social platform.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, alongside India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, announced the confirmation of the ceasefire soon after discussions.
Misri announced in a brief statement that an agreement was reached for both parties to halt all hostilities and military operations on land, air, and sea starting at 17:00 Indian Standard Time (11:30 GMT) today.
Instructions have been issued by both parties to implement this agreement. The directors-general of military operations are scheduled to hold another discussion on May 12 at 12:00.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the agreement encompasses plans for expanded discussions at a neutral location. This announcement appears to contradict a statement released on social media by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which asserts, “There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.”
Reports emerged later on Saturday regarding breaches of the truce, as explosions echoed throughout various areas of Indian-administered Kashmir.
Misri announced to reporters that Pakistan has breached the agreement established between the two nations. In response, the Indian armed forces have been directed to respond decisively to any recurrence of such actions.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement early Sunday addressing Misri’s remarks, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to faithfully implementing the ceasefire agreement established with India, despite allegations of breaches along the Line of Control (LoC).
In a recent statement, Pakistan has accused India of violating the ceasefire agreement “in certain regions.”
In light of the ongoing infractions reportedly carried out by India in certain regions, it stated that our forces are managing the situation with a sense of responsibility and restraint.
The statement emphasized the importance of resolving any challenges in the effective implementation of the ceasefire through communication at suitable levels. It further urged ground forces to demonstrate restraint.
A representative for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, has urged the involved nations to seize the opportunity to foster a decrease in tensions and promote enduring peace within the region.
Recent military escalations, along with deadly cross-border attacks, mutual accusations, and subsequent counter-accusations, have heightened serious concerns that the two nuclear-armed neighbors might be on the brink of engaging in a fifth full-scale war since 1947.
Concerns arose over the potential use of nuclear arsenals between the two nations following an announcement from Pakistan’s military stating that a leading authority responsible for overseeing its nuclear capabilities was set to convene.
