Hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire deal, both countries accused each other of violations. The ceasefire, intended to halt escalating military actions, was reportedly breached shortly after its announcement, raising concerns about the stability of the agreement.
The initial announcement of a "full and immediate" ceasefire came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed the U.S. had mediated talks between the two nations. However, shortly after the announcement, reports of explosions and cross-border fire surfaced. India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Pakistan had repeatedly violated the ceasefire understanding and that Indian armed forces were responding appropriately. Misri called on Pakistan to address the violations with seriousness and responsibility, emphasizing that the armed forces were maintaining a strong vigil. He also mentioned that the military had been instructed to "deal strongly" with any further violations.
Conversely, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denied any violations of the agreement. A Pakistani official stated that Pakistan remained committed to the ceasefire's faithful implementation and believed any issues should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country had made the ceasefire agreement for the benefit of everyone and had been very positive about it. However, he also accused India of killing civilians and targeting mosques with drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, dismissing claims against Pakistan as "baseless".
Reports from the ground painted a picture of continued tension. Al Jazeera reported hearing from local sources about exchanges of fire in multiple locations in the Kashmir region, with some projectiles entering Pakistani airspace. Explosions were also reported in Srinagar. Omar Abdullah, a prominent political figure in the region, expressed his surprise and concern on social media, questioning the ceasefire's validity.
Security analysts have pointed out the fragility of the situation. Sahar Khan, a Washington-based analyst, told Al Jazeera that the reported violations underscore how tenuous peace along the Line of Control (LoC) is. She noted that the recent fighting broke a ceasefire agreement reached in 2021, the most substantial since 2003, and that back and forth violations were expected.
The ceasefire agreement was intended to de-escalate tensions following weeks of escalating clashes, including missile and drone strikes, triggered by a terror attack last month. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan denied. The recent escalation also led to India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical agreement for water sharing between the two nations.
Amid the accusations and counter-accusations, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had previously held a closed-door meeting, urging both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. Despite the reported violations, hopes remain that the ceasefire can be salvaged and lead to broader regional stability. However, analysts caution that fundamental political issues need to be addressed to prevent future militarized crises.
