Hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, reports of explosions surfaced in Indian-administered Kashmir, raising concerns about the fragility of the truce. The ceasefire, which aimed to halt weeks of escalating clashes, was announced after talks mediated by the United States.
The agreement to cease hostilities followed a period of heightened tensions, including cross-border attacks involving drones and missiles. Both sides had accused each other of initiating the strikes, resulting in civilian casualties. The announcement of the ceasefire brought a wave of relief to residents in both countries and the disputed Kashmir region.
However, the optimism was short-lived. Explosions were reported in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, shortly after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect. Omar Abdullah, a prominent political figure in the region, expressed his shock and disbelief on social media, questioning the validity of the ceasefire. Residents in Srinagar and Jammu also reported a blackout following the explosions.
India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement, stating that there had been "repeated violations of the understanding arrived between the two countries". He further asserted that Indian forces had been instructed to "deal strongly" with any violations. Misri called on Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address the violations and handle the situation responsibly.
In response, Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, denied any violations of the ceasefire agreement. Similarly, Pakistan's foreign ministry stated its commitment to the ceasefire, while accusing India of violations in some areas. A spokesperson emphasized that Pakistani forces were handling the situation with "responsibility and restraint" and suggested addressing any issues through communication.
Security analysts have pointed out the tenuous nature of peace along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir. The most recent fighting had broken a ceasefire agreement reached in 2021, which was the most substantial since 2003. Experts suggest that while the ceasefire is a welcome development, continued back-and-forth violations are expected.
The ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on his social media platform, who said the deal came after a "long night of talks". Prime Minister Sharif later acknowledged Trump's "very pivotal and paramount role in the ceasefire". The UK's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, also welcomed the ceasefire and urged both parties to sustain it, emphasizing that "de-escalation is in everybody's interest".
Despite the conflicting claims and reported violations, military officials from both countries agreed to maintain communication and hold further discussions to address any issues in implementing the ceasefire. The Directors General of Military Operations are scheduled to speak again on May 12. The situation remains tense, and the future of the ceasefire hangs in the balance.
