Following days of intense conflict, India and Pakistan have both declared victory after a ceasefire agreement was reached. The announcement, which came after mediation efforts, has been met with cautious optimism, although both sides initially accused each other of violations. While the guns have fallen silent, the underlying tensions and the question of long-term stability remain.

The ceasefire was announced on Saturday, May 10, 2025, after a series of escalating military exchanges, including missile strikes, drone incursions, and artillery battles across the Line of Control (LoC). The immediate trigger for the escalation was a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan-based armed groups for the attack, a charge Islamabad denied. In response, India launched what it called "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting alleged terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan retaliated with heavy artillery firing across the LoC.

According to Pakistan's military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan hit 26 military targets and facilities in India on Saturday. He also stated that dozens of Pakistani armed drones hovered over major Indian cities, including New Delhi. India, on the other hand, claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Pakistani side, asserting that 35 to 40 military personnel were killed.

Despite the agreement, initial hours after the ceasefire announcement were shaky. Explosions were heard in cities of Jammu and Srinagar. India accused Pakistan of breaching the ceasefire, a claim Pakistan rejected, accusing India of firing first. Both sides, however, reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement.

Both countries have presented narratives of victory. Pakistan insists that its response to India's aggression was a "textbook demonstration" of military capabilities. Following the ceasefire announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan agreed to the ceasefire in the interest of regional peace and hoped to resolve outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, through dialogue. Meanwhile, India has maintained a firm stance against terrorism, asserting its right to respond to cross-border attacks. India has also confirmed that its decisions taken after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, including the temporary suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), would remain unaffected by the ceasefire.

The international community has largely welcomed the truce. The United Nations and countries including the United States, Bangladesh, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Kingdom have expressed their support. US President Donald Trump, who claimed his administration mediated the ceasefire, praised the "powerful leadership of India and Pakistan" for "stopping the aggression". China has urged both countries to prioritize regional peace and stability.

The ceasefire has brought a sense of relief to residents of border towns, but caution remains. People displaced by the fighting have started returning home, but authorities in some areas have warned of unexploded munitions. The next round of talks between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both sides is scheduled for May 12.

While the ceasefire marks a temporary reprieve, experts caution that the underlying issues remain unresolved. The relationship between India and Pakistan and the Kashmir conflict continue to be major points of contention. Whether this ceasefire can lead to a more sustainable peace remains to be seen.