After a tense period of military escalation, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, though accusations of violations have already surfaced. The agreement, reached on Saturday, May 10, 2025, followed what has been described as the most serious military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed rivals in decades.
The ceasefire was reportedly brokered through U.S.-led talks, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance engaging with senior officials from both countries. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Islamabad responded positively to the proposed ceasefire in the interest of regional peace, expressing hope that outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, would be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
However, the situation remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement shortly after it was reached. Explosions were reported across parts of Indian-administered Kashmir. India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, stated that the Indian Army would respond "adequately and appropriately" to any violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border. Pakistan, on the other hand, claimed that its forces were handling the situation with responsibility and restraint, despite alleged breaches by India.
The recent escalation was triggered by a gun massacre of tourists last month, which India blames on Pakistan. Pakistan denies the charge. This led to weeks of clashes, missile strikes, and drone incursions across the borders, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties on both sides. Prior to the ceasefire, cross-border missile strikes occurred on Saturday, with India claiming it targeted Pakistani air bases after Islamabad fired missiles at military and civilian infrastructure in Punjab state. Pakistan stated that it responded with retaliatory strikes.
According to government sources, on May 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force launched BrahMos-A cruise missiles targeting key Pakistan Air Force bases, including Chaklala and Sargodha. Following the strikes, Indian intelligence agencies detected high alert messages across Pakistani defense networks, suggesting a belief that India might target Pakistan's nuclear command and control infrastructure.
The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries reportedly spoke on Saturday afternoon and agreed to halt all firing and military action on land, air, and sea. Despite this agreement, Pakistani drones were sighted and intercepted in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Gujarat.
The U.S. involvement in brokering the ceasefire has been a subject of differing accounts. While Pakistan has openly acknowledged and appreciated the U.S.'s role, India has maintained that the understanding was reached bilaterally. Some reports suggest that the U.S. "practically ordered" Pakistan to activate its direct line to the Indian Army to avoid delays.
The ceasefire, while a welcome development, appears to be delicate. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether both sides can maintain the truce and de-escalate tensions.
