ISLAMABAD/SRINAGAR, May 11 – Early Sunday morning, hours after a historic announcement by US President Donald Trump, India and Pakistan traded accusations of violating a ceasefire agreement in Kashmir. The ceasefire was meant to halt the deadly violence that had escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations.
The ceasefire came after days of intense military action, including jet fighters, missiles, drones, and artillery attacks. These deadly exchanges had left at least 60 people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes, especially in the contested region of Kashmir.
Trump’s announcement was seen as a surprise diplomatic breakthrough. “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 on social media.
Following the announcement, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the truce, stating that both sides would cease all military action by 5 PM (1130 GMT). However, he quickly accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating the truce and said India’s forces had responded appropriately.
In contrast, Pakistan expressed its commitment to the ceasefire. A statement from Islamabad’s foreign ministry said, “We remain committed to faithfully implementing the truce. Despite violations by India, our forces are handling the situation with responsibility and restraint.”
Despite the optimistic tone of the truce, AFP staff in Srinagar reported hearing loud explosions. A senior official from Pakistani-administered Kashmir confirmed that intermittent gunfire continued along the de facto border, the Line of Control (LoC). Independent verification of these claims remains impossible at this point.
The truce came after a violent attack last month in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, were killed, a tragedy India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Tensions had been rising ever since, especially following India’s 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s limited autonomy.
Though the ceasefire is seen as a step toward peace, many residents are skeptical. In Muzaffarabad, Bilal Shabbir, an IT consultant, welcomed the ceasefire, saying, “In war, it’s not just soldiers who suffer—it’s the civilians, especially in Kashmir.”
However, in Srinagar, Sukesh Khajuria was more cautious. “The ceasefire is welcome, but it’s difficult to trust Pakistan. We have to stay vigilant,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the ceasefire followed talks with senior officials from both countries. He also announced that the two sides had agreed to start discussions on a range of issues at a neutral location.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed appreciation for the US intervention, noting that his country had long sought international mediation in the Kashmir issue. India, however, has been consistently opposed to third-party mediation, which has left many observers questioning the stability of the truce.
Michael Kugelman, a US-based analyst on South Asia, cautioned that the ceasefire was hastily arranged amid the peak of tensions. “India seems to have interpreted the deal differently from the US and Pakistan, and it may not be enthusiastic about broader talks,” he wrote on X. “Maintaining the ceasefire will pose significant challenges.”
While the ceasefire brought some relief, countries like Britain, Iran, and the United Nations have voiced support for the peace initiative. China, which borders both India and Pakistan, also expressed its willingness to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions.
As the situation continues to unfold, the hope remains that the fragile ceasefire will hold long enough for meaningful dialogue to take place, bringing peace to the people of Kashmir.
