India, Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire

NEW DELHI,— U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that India and Pakistan have reached a “full and immediate ceasefire” following four days of escalating attacks on military positions along their tense border.

According to Trump, the agreement came after a night of U.S.-mediated negotiations. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “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. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on X that both countries had agreed to halt hostilities without delay.

“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!” Dar wrote.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the ceasefire would start at 5 p.m. Indian Standard Time (1130 GMT). The ministry also mentioned that Pakistan’s top military operations official reached out to his Indian counterpart Saturday afternoon, and both sides agreed to end all cross-border firing. They plan to hold another round of talks on May 12.

The ceasefire announcement came amid concerns over the possibility of nuclear escalation. Earlier Saturday, Pakistan’s military said a key defense and civilian body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal would meet.

However, Pakistan’s defense minister later clarified that no such meeting was scheduled.

Hostilities flared on Wednesday when India launched strikes on what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani Kashmir.

This came two weeks after an attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir left 26 dead. Pakistan has rejected India’s accusations of involvement in the attack.

Since Wednesday, both nations have exchanged artillery fire, drone strikes, airstrikes, and missile launches, intensifying fears in the region.

India and Pakistan have been locked in a bitter rivalry over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. Both nations claim Kashmir in full but control only parts of it. They have fought three wars, two over Kashmir, and have faced repeated flare-ups over the years.

India accuses Pakistan of fueling an armed insurgency in its portion of Kashmir since 1989, an uprising that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

New Delhi also blames Pakistan-based militant groups for attacks across India. Pakistan denies the charges, insisting its support for Kashmiris is only moral, political, and diplomatic.

(With files from Reuters)