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Pakistan, India agree to immediate ceasefire following weeks of deadly clashes

Tensions soared after last month's attack at tourist site in India-controlled Kashmir

India and Pakistan on Saturday confirmed a ceasefire deal after U.S.-led talks to end a conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.

India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to a ceasefire following U.S.-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation in decades between the nuclear-armed rivals. 

The development follows weeks of clashes, missiles and drone strikes across their border that were triggered by an attack on tourists last month in the Indian-controlled section of the disputed region of Kashmir. India blamed that attack on Pakistan, which denied the charge.

It was the two countries' most serious confrontation in decades and left dozens of civilians dead on both sides.

The first word on the truce Saturday came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who posted on his Truth Social platform that he was pleased to announce India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire.

"Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence."

Man speaking
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri tells a media briefing in New Delhi on Saturday that the heads of military operations from India and Pakistan spoke in the afternoon. (Karma Bhutia/The Associated Press)

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Saudi Arabia and Turkey played an important role in facilitating the deal, which came into effect at 4:30 p.m. local time. 

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the heads of military operations from India and Pakistan spoke Saturday afternoon.

"It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, and in the air and sea. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding."

The top military leaders would speak again on Monday, Misri added.

The deal has brought a swift end to military escalation.

 

Ceasefire brings promise, joy to residents

People in many cities in Pakistan welcomed the news after days of heightened tensions.

"This is a big day for Pakistan," said Mohammad Fateh, a young man in the city of Lahore. "Our forces responded with strength, and India had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire."

In Islamabad, Zubaida Bibi, 45, expressed joy at the restoration of peace with India, saying, "War brings nothing but suffering. We are happy that calm is returning. It feels like Eid to me."

In the northwest of Pakistan, in the city of Peshawar and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, some people fired guns in the air to celebrate the ceasefire.

In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, residents said they hope it brings long-awaited relief to a region that has borne the brunt of recurring conflict.

"For us, peace means survival," said Zulfikar Ali, a resident. "We've suffered enough. I'm glad that both Pakistan and India have made a sensible decision."

 

Pakistan fully reopens airspace

Pakistan has fully reopened its airspace for all types of flights, the country's airports authority said Saturday.

In a statement, it said: "All airports across the country are now available for regular flight operations."

Earlier Saturday, India said it targeted Pakistani airbases after Islamabad fired several high-speed missiles at military and civilian infrastructure in India's Punjab state. Pakistan said it intercepted most missiles and responded with retaliatory strikes on India.

 

WATCH | A report on weeks of India-Pakistan fighting before ceasefire announcement:
 

The India-Pakistan conflict is escalating as blasts, civilian deaths and tensions rise. Freelance journalist Zafar Aafaq, who’s in India-administered Kashmir, says it’s ‘very hard’ to predict how the situation will develop.

Before the ceasefire was announced, Dar said Saturday his country would consider de-escalation if India stopped further attacks. 

Dar told Pakistan's Geo News that he also conveyed this message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who contacted him after Rubio spoke to New Delhi earlier.

"We responded because our patience had reached its limit. If they stop here, we will also consider stopping," Dar added.

Children kneel on the floor with their hands over their ears.
School students participate in a mock drill trained by civil defence members to respond in case of attack in Guwahati, India, on Saturday. (Anupam Nath/The Associated Press)

Rubio spoke to his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and emphasized "both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, and offered U.S. support to facilitate "productive discussion."

Tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have soared since an attack at a popular tourist site in India-controlled Kashmir left 26 civilians dead, mostly Hindu Indian tourists, on April 22. 

In a G7 statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S., Britain and the European Union said they "strongly condemned" the April 22 Islamist militant attack in Kashmir. 

With files from Reuters

Author: The Associated Press

Source: CBC News:

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