India and Pakistan agreed on Saturday to a full and immediate ceasefire after several days of deadly clashes involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery — a surprise development announced by US President Donald Trump, who praised both nations for showing “common sense”.
Confirmation from both Islamabad and New Delhi came shortly after Trump shared the news on his Truth Social platform, revealing the ceasefire followed overnight talks mediated by the United States.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that all military activity by land, air, and sea would cease from 5:00pm IST. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed the announcement, reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace and sovereignty.
However, hours after the deal was publicised, an Indian government source claimed Pakistan had violated the truce. AFP reporters in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, also reported hearing a series of loud explosions. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted: “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!”
The ceasefire came after four days of intense cross-border violence that claimed at least 60 lives and displaced thousands of civilians. Tensions erupted following a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26 tourists. Delhi blamed the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, but Islamabad denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.
The two nations, both nuclear powers, have fought multiple wars over Kashmir since independence from British rule in 1947. Fighting has intensified since 2019, when India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and brought it under direct central rule.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance both confirmed Washington’s role in securing the ceasefire and expressed hopes for broader peace talks at a neutral venue.
The ceasefire was welcomed by the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who called it a “positive step” toward de-escalation.
Despite the agreement, tensions remain high, and the situation on the ground in Kashmir continues to evolve.