On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement after U.S.-led discussions aimed at resolving the most significant military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations in decades. This ceasefire comes after weeks of intense clashes, including missile and drone strikes along their borders, sparked by a gun attack on tourists last month, which India attributes to Pakistan—a claim that Pakistan denies. The violence has resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians on both sides.
The initial announcement of the truce came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who shared on his Truth Social platform that India and Pakistan had reached an agreement for a full and immediate ceasefire. He expressed his congratulations to both nations for demonstrating "Common Sense and Great Intelligence" and thanked them for their attention to the issue. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar later confirmed the ceasefire during an appearance on Geo News, noting that Saudi Arabia and Turkey had played a significant role in facilitating the agreement.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that the military operations chiefs from both countries held a conversation on Saturday afternoon. "They agreed to cease all firing and military activities on land, in the air, and at sea. Instructions have been issued on both sides to implement this agreement," Misri stated. He also mentioned that the senior military officials would reconvene on May 12.
The agreement has quickly resolved the military escalation. India reported that it targeted Pakistani air bases early Saturday after Islamabad launched several high-speed missiles at military and civilian facilities in Punjab. In response, Pakistan claimed to have intercepted most of the missiles and conducted retaliatory strikes against India.
Earlier on Saturday, India's military conducted a press briefing in New Delhi, alleging that Pakistan targeted health facilities and schools at its three air bases in Indian-administered Kashmir. "An appropriate response has been delivered to Pakistan's actions," stated Indian Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh emphasized that India is dedicated to "non-escalation," as long as Pakistan reciprocates. However, she noted that Pakistani ground forces were seen mobilizing toward forward positions, suggesting an intention to escalate the situation further.
"The Indian armed forces are currently in a heightened state of operational readiness," she stated. Pakistan's military reported that it launched medium-range Fateh missiles to strike an Indian missile storage facility and air bases located in Pathankot and Udhampur. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify all claims made by either Pakistan or India. Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif confirmed that Pakistan's air force assets remained secure following the Indian attacks. Tensions have escalated since an assault on a popular tourist destination in India-controlled Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, primarily Indian Hindu tourists. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a claim that Islamabad denies. On Saturday, Indian missiles targeted the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, close to the capital Islamabad, as well as the Murid air base in Chakwal and the Rafiqui air base in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab province, according to a spokesman for Pakistan's military.
There were no immediate reports from residents in the densely populated Rawalpindi regarding the strike or its aftermath. Meanwhile, Pakistanis celebrated the missile launches aimed at India. “Thank God we have finally responded to Indian aggression,” remarked Muhammad Ashraf, who was out for breakfast in Lahore. Joyful scenes unfolded in Peshawar and Karachi. In Indian-controlled Kashmir, residents reported hearing loud explosions in several locations, including the major cities of Srinagar and Jammu, as well as the garrison town of Udhampur, following the announcement of Pakistan's retaliation. “The explosions we are hearing today are different from those we experienced over the last two nights during drone attacks,” stated Shesh Paul Vaid, a former top police official and resident of Jammu. “It feels like a war here.” Vaid noted that the explosions were coming from areas near military bases, suggesting that army sites were being targeted. Residents living close to Srinagar's airport also reported similar sounds.
Earlier on Saturday, India's military conducted a press briefing in New Delhi, alleging that Pakistan targeted health facilities and schools at its three air bases in Indian-administered Kashmir. "An appropriate response has been delivered to Pakistan's actions," stated Indian Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh emphasized that India is dedicated to "non-escalation," as long as Pakistan reciprocates. However, she noted that Pakistani ground forces were seen mobilizing toward forward positions, suggesting an intention to escalate the situation further.
"The Indian armed forces are currently in a heightened state of operational readiness," she stated. Pakistan's military reported that it launched medium-range Fateh missiles to strike an Indian missile storage facility and air bases located in Pathankot and Udhampur. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify all claims made by either Pakistan or India. Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif confirmed that Pakistan's air force assets remained secure following the Indian attacks. Tensions have escalated since an assault on a popular tourist destination in India-controlled Kashmir on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, primarily Indian Hindu tourists. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a claim that Islamabad denies. On Saturday, Indian missiles targeted the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, close to the capital Islamabad, as well as the Murid air base in Chakwal and the Rafiqui air base in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab province, according to a spokesman for Pakistan's military.
There were no immediate reports from residents in the densely populated Rawalpindi regarding the strike or its aftermath. Meanwhile, Pakistanis celebrated the missile launches aimed at India. “Thank God we have finally responded to Indian aggression,” remarked Muhammad Ashraf, who was out for breakfast in Lahore. Joyful scenes unfolded in Peshawar and Karachi. In Indian-controlled Kashmir, residents reported hearing loud explosions in several locations, including the major cities of Srinagar and Jammu, as well as the garrison town of Udhampur, following the announcement of Pakistan's retaliation. “The explosions we are hearing today are different from those we experienced over the last two nights during drone attacks,” stated Shesh Paul Vaid, a former top police official and resident of Jammu. “It feels like a war here.” Vaid noted that the explosions were coming from areas near military bases, suggesting that army sites were being targeted. Residents living close to Srinagar's airport also reported similar sounds.
