Just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations accused each other of violating the truce across the volatile Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Indian forces responded to “repeated violations” by Pakistan, while Islamabad insisted it remained “committed to the ceasefire” and accused India of provoking clashes. “Our forces are handling the situation with responsibility and restraint,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Journalists from AFP reported hearing loud explosions in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, and a senior official in Pakistani-administered Kashmir confirmed “intermittent exchange of fire” was ongoing across the LoC.
Independent verification of these claims remains difficult, but the renewed hostilities cast doubt on the durability of the ceasefire that was hailed as a potential turning point in a crisis that had seen deadly aerial and ground exchanges in recent days. At least 60 people were reported killed, with thousands displaced along both sides of the border and in Kashmir.
President Trump made a surprise announcement on Friday night, declaring that after a “long night of talks” mediated by the U.S., India and Pakistan had agreed to a “FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.” He congratulated both countries for showing “Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
According to Indian officials, the ceasefire was supposed to take effect from 5 p.m. local time on Friday, halting all military actions on land, air, and sea.
The crisis began last month after a deadly attack killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which Islamabad denied, calling for an independent investigation. The attack triggered days of airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire between the two countries.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed U.S. involvement, saying on social media that his country “appreciates” Washington’s mediation. India, however, has long opposed third-party intervention in the Kashmir dispute.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that further talks covering a broader set of issues had been agreed upon by both sides, to be held at a neutral location. But analysts warned of the agreement’s fragility.
“The ceasefire was cobbled together hastily, and at a moment when tensions were at their highest,” said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, on X. “India appears to have interpreted the deal differently than the U.S. and Pakistan. Upholding it will pose challenges.”
The ceasefire announcement drew support from the United Nations, Britain, Iran, and China. Beijing, through its state media, expressed concern over the potential for renewed escalation and said it was “willing to continue playing a constructive role.”
Still, locals on both sides of the border remain cautious. “In war, it’s not just soldiers who die, it’s mostly civilians,” said Bilal Shabbir, a resident of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In Srinagar, Sukesh Khajuria said, “The ceasefire is welcome, but it’s difficult to trust Pakistan. We have to be vigilant.”
