Just hours after announcing a ceasefire following several days of intense cross-border military conflict, India and Pakistan have begun accusing one another of violating the agreement.
Explosions were reported in Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to state that there had been "repeated breaches of the agreement reached earlier." In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry asserted that while it remains "committed to the sincere implementation of the ceasefire," violations by Indian forces were occurring in some areas.
The recent escalation marked the most intense military standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. The conflict was triggered when India launched strikes on locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the incident.
After four days of military exchanges, both countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire. The deal was publicly announced by U.S. President Donald Trump via Truth Social, crediting U.S. diplomatic efforts. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister confirmed the agreement, noting that diplomatic support from "three dozen countries" contributed to the deal.
Despite the ceasefire declaration, residents in Srinagar and Jammu reported fresh explosions, with visuals of bright flashes in the sky. Misri said Indian forces were responding appropriately to what he called violations by Pakistan and urged Islamabad to uphold the terms of the agreement.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its dedication to peace, calling on ground troops to act with restraint and suggesting that any issues should be resolved through proper communication channels.
Kashmir remains a deeply disputed region, claimed fully by both India and Pakistan but controlled in parts by each since their partition in 1947. The territory has been the source of two wars between the nations.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that both sides had agreed to cease hostilities and emphasized India’s unwavering stance against terrorism. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this, describing the ceasefire as a step toward broader stability.
India accuses Pakistan of breaching ceasefire along their border
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that India and Pakistan will begin broader discussions at a neutral venue, following intense 48-hour negotiations involving U.S. officials and both prime ministers. UN Secretary General António Guterres and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer both welcomed the truce, with hopes it would hold long-term.
The flare-up followed a militant attack on April 22 in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including 25 Indians and one Nepali tourist. Survivors claimed the assailants specifically targeted Hindu men.
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India’s military strikes, described by its defense ministry as part of efforts to punish the perpetrators, were labeled "unprovoked" by Pakistan. Islamabad reported 36 fatalities from Indian strikes, while India said 21 civilians were killed due to Pakistani shelling. Both nations accused each other of targeting key military facilities during overnight fighting on Friday.
Source: With inputs from BBC