NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have blamed each other for breaching a ceasefire agreement just hours after both countries publicly committed to halting cross-border attacks, following four days of intense military confrontation, according to BBC.
Explosions were reported in Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to allege “repeated violations” of the freshly agreed ceasefire.
Shortly afterward, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that while it remained committed to the truce, India was carrying out breaches in certain areas.
The latest escalation, described as one of the most severe in decades between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, began after India launched drone, missile, and artillery strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
This was in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month, which Islamabad has denied any involvement in, BBC report said.
Following days of exchanges, both nations announced they had agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire. The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, stating that the deal was brokered by the United States. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister later confirmed the agreement, crediting diplomatic efforts from over 30 countries.
However, hours after the truce was declared, residents and reporters in Srinagar and Jammu reported fresh explosions and flashes in the sky.
India’s Foreign Secretary reiterated that the ceasefire agreement had been violated and stated that Indian forces were responding accordingly. He urged Pakistan to take steps to prevent further breaches.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry responded by asserting its commitment to the ceasefire, despite what it described as provocations by India. It called for communication channels to be used to resolve any misunderstandings and urged restraint from troops on both sides.
The disputed region of Kashmir remains at the heart of the conflict. Both India and Pakistan claim it in full but govern parts of it. Since their independence from Britain in 1947, the two countries have fought two wars over the territory.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the ceasefire deal, emphasizing that India remains steadfast in its fight against terrorism and will not compromise on national security.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a national address, said the ceasefire was intended for the benefit of all sides involved.
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