India, Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire
Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire yesterday after intense diplomatic pressure from the United States and other world powers, as their escalating conflict threatened to erupt into full-scale war.
US President Donald Trump posted the ceasefire announcement on his Truth Social network as the rivals conducted a series of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's key military installations and other places for the last four days.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "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," Trump posted.
Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the two countries' military chiefs had spoken to each other and agreed that all fighting would stop at 5:00pm Indian time (1130 GMT), without using the word "ceasefire".
In a statement on X, Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said: "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect."
"Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.
"India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," posted Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on X.
Despite the truce, two Indian government sources told Reuters that the punitive measures announced by India and reciprocated by Pakistan, such as trade suspension and visa cancellations, would remain in place for now.
The sources also said the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing pact that India suspended after the Kashmir attack, would continue to remain in abeyance.
However, hours after the truce was announced, violations were reported from the main cities of Indian-administered Kashmir, the territory that had borne the brunt of four days of fighting.
Blasts were heard in Srinagar and Jammu, and projectiles and flashes were seen in the night sky over Jammu, similar to the events of the previous evening, according to authorities, residents and Reuters witnesses.
Late at night, India's foreign secretary Misri said there had been "repeated violations" and that the "armed forces are giving an adequate and appropriate response to these violations."
The ceasefire comes after four days of attacks and counter-attacks by both sides that killed at least 60 people and saw thousands of civilians flee their homes along their border as well as in divided Kashmir.
The clashes involved fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery and are the worst in decades.
On Wednesday, India had attacked what it said was "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistani Kashmir and Pakistan, two weeks after 26 people were killed in an attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir.
Indo-Pak escalation
- Trump announces truce, hails 'common sense' of both countries
- India accuses Pakistan of truce violations, says it has retaliated
- Army chiefs of India, Pakistan to speak again on May 12
- World leaders, including Prof Yunus, hail truce
- Punitive measures announced by rivals, including Indus Waters Treaty, to stay for now
- Civilian death toll rises to 66
- Pakistan reopens airspace
Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for an independent probe.
Before the truce, the conflict escalated significantly yesterday after India and Pakistan struck each other's key military installations overnight.
In the early hours yesterday, Pakistan launched counterattacks against India after three of its air bases – one in Rawalpindi and two others in Punjab -- were struck.
Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told a briefing that there were "several high-speed missile attacks" on air bases, but "limited damage" to equipment.
Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir said 13 civilians were killed by Indian shelling overnight. India said 5 civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir.
After the Indian strikes, Pakistan's military spokesman Ahmed Sharif, in a live broadcast aired by state television in the middle of the night, warned: "Now you just wait for our response."
After the retaliatory strikes, which India said targeted 36 sites including military installations, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told senior officials, "We have given India a befitting response and avenged the blood of our innocent citizens", his office said in a statement.
During the 4-day conflict, Pakistani military sources claimed their forces had shot down at least 77 Israeli-made hi-tech drones, while Indian officials said they had destroyed hundreds of Pakistani drones, many Turkish-made.
Pakistan also claimed to have shot down five Indian warplanes -- including three multi-million dollar French Rafale fighter jets -- although New Delhi has not confirmed any losses. New Delhi also claimed to have shot down Pakistani aircraft, which Islamabad denied.
Independent verification of claims by either side has been difficult.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ceasefire came about after he and Vice-President JD Vance engaged with senior officials on both sides.
"I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site," he said on X.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the development, calling it a "positive step" that should lead to peace, his spokesperson said.
News of the ceasefire was welcomed in Britain, the Indian subcontinent's former colonial master and home to a huge diaspora from both countries.
"Today's ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome," Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote on X.
"I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody's interest."
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus hailed the truce.
"I most sincerely commend Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan for agreeing to a ceasefire with immediate effect and to engage in talks. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbours to resolve differences through diplomacy," he said.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, "The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region."
News of the ceasefire was greeted with relief on both sides of the border and Pakistan's airports authority said its airspace had been fully reopened.
Even before the surprise ceasefire announcement, officials from both sides showed a willingness to take a step back following the day's exchanges.
Pakistan's foreign minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, told local television that if India stops here, then "we will consider to stop here".
India also reiterated its commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistani military.
Analysts and diplomats have long feared that conflict between the rivals could escalate into the use of nuclear weapons, in one of the world's most dangerous and most populated nuclear flashpoint regions. Unlike India, Pakistan does not have a no-first-use doctrine.
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