Ceasefire Announced Amid Renewed Conflict Between India and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan declared a ceasefire on Saturday after four days of intense fighting, a situation that had escalated alarmingly. Both countries’ military officials communicated that hostilities would stop at 5 p.m. Indian local time (1130 GMT), following discussions between their military chiefs.

Despite the announcement, reports of ceasefire violations quickly emerged from Indian Kashmir. Residents in Srinagar and Jammu reported hearing blasts and seeing projectiles in the night sky. Local authorities confirmed these incidents but did not provide further details.

The recent clashes marked the worst violence between India and Pakistan in nearly thirty years, raising fears of broader conflict in the already volatile region. Concerns about nuclear escalation were initially heightened, but Pakistan’s defense minister later stated no emergency meetings about nuclear strategy were scheduled.

“Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect,” said Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s foreign minister, in a post on X. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to peace and security while maintaining sovereignty.

In a tweet, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that after extensive negotiations mediated by the U.S., both countries reached an agreement for a full and immediate ceasefire. The involvement of three dozen nations in facilitating this agreement was also noted.

Although the ceasefire marked a significant step, punitive measures such as trade suspensions and visa cancellations initiated by both nations were expected to remain in place, according to Indian government sources.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri of India confirmed that further dialogue between military leaders was scheduled for May 12. The Indian military had conducted operations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir earlier, which it claimed targeted “terrorist infrastructure” in response to a deadly attack that killed 26 people in Indian Kashmir.

Reactions on both sides were mixed, with relief at the ceasefire announcement but concerns about how long it would hold. The Pakistani Airports Authority announced that airspace had been reopened, indicating a return to normalcy.

Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, welcomed the ceasefire but expressed regret that it did not come sooner, saying it could have saved lives lost in the conflict.

Experts say a focus on socio-economic development is necessary for both nations, which have a long history of conflict since their partition in 1947 over territorial disputes, especially in Kashmir.