India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, averting what many feared could become a catastrophic war between two nuclear-armed neighbors. The breakthrough, announced Saturday by U.S. President Donald Trump, followed intense diplomacy by senior American officials and came after a night of heavy bombardments and rising civilian casualties.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” President Trump declared in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The agreement ends one of the most dangerous confrontations between the rivals since their independence from British rule in 1947. In just four days, over 60 civilians were reported dead, with both militaries engaging in airstrikes, drone incursions, and missile attacks that pushed the region to the edge.
Tensions ignited after a brutal attack last month in the Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men, dead. India swiftly pointed fingers at Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group designated a terrorist organization by the UN. Delhi claimed the group received support from elements within Pakistan’s intelligence services.
Pakistan denied any involvement and condemned the killings, calling for an independent investigation. Nonetheless, India launched retaliatory strikes midweek on what it described as terror launch pads inside Pakistan. Islamabad responded with a counteroffensive that included high-speed missile attacks and drone operations.
By Saturday morning, both sides had traded some of the heaviest blows seen in years. Pakistani authorities accused India of striking three military bases, including one near Rawalpindi, just miles from the capital. Indian officials confirmed missile engagements but said only “limited damage” occurred.
In return, Pakistan launched a wave of drones and missile strikes across India’s western frontier. The Indian military claimed to have shot down dozens of drones over Punjab and Jammu, with debris falling in residential zones. In Indian-run Kashmir, explosions rocked the region for hours, sending thousands scrambling for shelter.
“There are loud explosions the entire night,” said Karan Varma, a mason in Jammu. “There is no choice but to leave.”
Special trains were dispatched to evacuate civilians. Schools near the border closed, and India shut down 32 airports. Air traffic across South Asia was significantly disrupted, with international airlines rerouting flights to avoid the conflict zone.
Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir reported at least 11 civilian deaths from Indian shelling. India accused Pakistan of hitting civilian areas with drones, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. Islamabad’s military disputed this, accusing India of mistakenly bombing its own territory in Amritsar.
Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told reporters, “We’ve faced several high-speed missile attacks but inflicted a proportionate and strategic response. We remain committed to national security.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised his forces’ retaliation. “Today, we have given India a befitting response and avenged the blood of innocent lives,” he said, signaling a possible end to the confrontation.
The sudden ceasefire came after 48 hours of round-the-clock negotiations involving U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Rubio revealed that the U.S. had been in contact with top Indian and Pakistani officials, including both Prime Ministers, foreign ministers, and national security advisers.
“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio said on X, formerly Twitter. The talks culminated in a U.S.-brokered agreement for both sides to begin discussions on a wide range of issues at a neutral location.
The agreement was also confirmed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who tweeted: “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
The prospect of open warfare between India and Pakistan—armed with an estimated 180 and 170 nuclear warheads respectively—triggered international alarm. India maintains a stated “No First Use” policy, although recent statements by its leadership have introduced ambiguity. Pakistan has never committed to a similar restraint.
China, the G7 nations, and Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE urged immediate de-escalation. “This is a situation where miscalculation could be catastrophic,” warned a G7 joint statement on Friday.
Kashmir remains the core dispute between the two nations. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars over the region. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi’s government revoked the limited autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that Pakistan and local Kashmiri groups denounced as illegal.
Since then, armed groups have increased attacks in the region. India says these groups receive support from Pakistan, a claim Islamabad denies. This backdrop adds volatility to any military exchange, as nationalist sentiment on both sides runs high.
For millions living near the border, the past week has been one of fear and uncertainty. In Indian cities like Amritsar and Jammu, civilians fled en masse. Makeshift shelters and camps sprouted overnight, while hospitals in Pakistani border towns overflowed with the injured.
“This war feels different. It’s not just shelling; it’s missiles, drones, jets—everything,” said Zahid Khan, a resident of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Families spoke of huddling in basements, nights without sleep, and panic at each blast. In Srinagar, people queued outside grocery stores, stocking up on essentials amid fears the fighting would spread.
The ceasefire may have halted the shooting—for now—but deeper questions remain. What guarantees are in place to prevent another escalation? Will India and Pakistan commit to a roadmap for resolving the Kashmir issue, or will this ceasefire merely reset the clock?
Experts remain skeptical. “This ceasefire is a tactical pause, not a strategic breakthrough,” said Tanvi Madan, a South Asia specialist at the Brookings Institution. “Unless there’s meaningful dialogue on Kashmir and terrorism, the triggers for future conflict remain.”
There’s also concern about domestic political fallout. Modi’s government, facing elections in the next year, may be under pressure to appear strong. Meanwhile, Sharif’s coalition faces its own internal challenges, and military influence in Pakistani politics remains strong.
For now, both nations appear committed to stepping back. Direct communication channels have been restored. Talks are reportedly being planned at a European location, potentially Geneva or Oslo. Observers say this may be the best chance in years for substantive dialogue.
“Peace is hard,” said Rubio in a late-night press conference. “But the people of India and Pakistan deserve peace. And we will continue to do all we can to support it.”
