President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire”, bringing a sudden halt to escalating military tensions between both countries.
The announcement came after four days of hostilities in which both nations exchanged missile and drone attacks, targeting each other’s military installations.
The fighting erupted on Wednesday after India launched strikes on what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.
The action came two weeks after an attack in Indian Kashmir killed 26 Hindu tourists, an incident India blames on Pakistan-based militants, a charge Pakistan denies.
However, the United States stepped in and brokered peace between them. Trump, posting on Truth Social, said, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.
“Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence,” he added.
The ceasefire agreement was also confirmed by both governments. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a post on X, said both countries had agreed to halt hostilities immediately.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!” he stated.
Similarly, India’s foreign ministry confirmed the agreement, stating that the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart to initiate the ceasefire, effective from 5 pm Indian Standard Time (12:30 GMT+1).
The two officials are expected to speak again on May 12.
Pakistan’s military had initially announced a meeting of its top defence and nuclear oversight body, heightening international concern. However, the defence minister later denied that any such meeting was planned.
The counter-strikes have already claimed at least 66 civilian lives on both sides of the border, reports CNN.
India had accused Pakistan of fuelling a long-running insurgency in Indian Kashmir that began in 1989 and has cost tens of thousands of lives. It also holds Pakistan responsible for several terrorist attacks on Indian soil.
Pakistan denies the allegations, maintaining that its support for Kashmiris is limited to diplomatic, political, and moral backing.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over Kashmir.
Despite repeated efforts at peace, periodic clashes and deep-rooted mistrust continue to plague relations between the two nuclear powers.
