Calm prevailed along the India-Pakistan border yesterday, just hours after both sides had traded accusations of violating a ceasefire brokered by Washington that ended the most intense confrontation between the two countries since 1999.
A senior Pakistani officer in Muzaffarabad told reporters on condition of anonymity: “We have not been informed of any armed incident since yesterday morning.”
For four consecutive days, the two neighbouring countries exchanged artillery fire, drone strikes and missile attacks, raising fears that the situation could escalate into full-scale war between the nuclear-armed powers. This prompted many foreign capitals to call for restraint.
Tensions began on April 22 when an attack occurred in Indian Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 people at a tourist site. India accused the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba of the attack, but Islamabad denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation.
On Wednesday, India launched strikes on several Pakistani cities, claiming it had destroyed ‘terrorist camps’, which triggered a cycle of attacks and counterattacks.
According to preliminary and unverifiable estimates from both countries, the fighting since Wednesday has resulted in the deaths of 60 civilians on both sides.
Amid a lack of signs that hostilities were easing, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement on Saturday afternoon that a ‘full and immediate ceasefire’ had been reached between India and Pakistan under Washington’s mediation.
Both countries quickly confirmed their agreement. However, just hours after the announcement, India and Pakistan accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
Overnight, a series of loud explosions rocked Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir, with flashes from anti-aircraft defences lighting up the sky.
India swiftly accused Pakistan of committing ‘repeated violations’ of the agreement, asserting that its armed forces had responded “appropriately.”
On the Pakistani side of the border, there had been ‘sporadic gunfire’ at three points along the Line of Control, which effectively serves as the border between the two countries in Kashmir.
Islamabad blamed New Delhi for the ‘violation’ of the ceasefire and emphasised its commitment to ‘faithfully implementing’ the agreement.
Signs of shelling from Pakistan after the ceasefire were clearly visible in several Indian villages, according to residents.
Early yesterday, President Trump praised the ‘unshakable strength’ and ‘wisdom’ of the leaders of India and Pakistan, pledging to significantly boost trade with both countries.
The White House said on Saturday that talks were underway to ‘reach a solution in Kashmir’, the region disputed by both countries since their independence in 1947.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the two nations had agreed to ‘begin talks on a wide range of issues at a neutral location’.
However, a government source in New Delhi said that no decision had been made to negotiate on ‘any issue other than ending military operations’.
The ceasefire announcement was met with relief in capitals around the world.
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