ISLAMABAD – A tense calm returned to South Asia after Pakistan and India agreed to a surprise ceasefire on Saturday, ending days of escalating hostilities marked by missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border shelling that killed at least 60 people.
The truce, brokered with the help of the United States, was first announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. “Congratulations to both countries for using common sense,” he wrote. Shortly after, officials in Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the agreement.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called the ceasefire a reaffirmation of Islamabad’s commitment to peace without compromising sovereignty. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that military commanders from both sides had spoken and agreed to halt fighting—though conflicting statements later emerged from Indian ministries regarding future dialogue.
The sudden thaw came after four days of intense conflict that forced thousands to flee border areas. Tensions flared following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Pahalgam, which Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Both sides unleashed heavy retaliatory strikes, including the unprecedented large-scale use of armed drones.
Despite the ceasefire, scattered reports of fresh skirmishes emerged from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), with explosions reported in Srinagar and sightings of drones in Bahawalpur. Pakistani authorities said all drones were intercepted with no reported damage.
High-level diplomatic engagement from Washington played a critical role. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance were directly involved in talks with top officials from both countries, including Prime Ministers Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi. Rubio praised both leaders for choosing “the path of peace.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the nation, hailed the ceasefire as a victory for peace and a moment of national unity. He called for sustained dialogue to address long-standing issues, particularly Kashmir and water-sharing disputes. He also thanked global allies, especially China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the U.S., for supporting Pakistan’s stance during the crisis.
However, Indian sources told Reuters that punitive measures—including trade suspension, visa bans, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—would remain in effect for now, underscoring the fragility of the truce.
Foreign Minister Dar held calls with his counterparts in China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, all of whom praised Pakistan’s restrained response amid rising regional tensions.
While the ceasefire has halted immediate violence, lingering mistrust and unresolved grievances threaten to unravel the fragile peace. Both governments now face the challenge of translating battlefield de-escalation into a durable diplomatic process.
