Flags of India and Pakistan, divided by barb wire illustration. A concept of tense relations between India and Pakistan. Credit - Getty Images/iStock Amid escalating conflict, accusations of continued strikes, and grave concerns that the two countries may engage in a full-out war, India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate cease-fire after U.S.-led talks. But as of Saturday night in India, hours after the cease-fire deal was confirmed, there have been accusations that the agreement is not being entirely upheld. President Donald Trumpmade the initial announcementof a break in fighting over his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday morning. "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 cease-fire," he said. "Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Darconfirmed the newsshortly after, via a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote: "Pakistan and India have agreed to a cease-fire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!" India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri provided further details during anews conference, saying it had been agreed that both parties "would stop all firing and military action" from 5 p.m. Indian Standard Time (7:30 a.m. ET).External Affairs Minister of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar alsoconfirmed the agreement via a post on X. "India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," he said. News of the cease-fire came after India and Pakistan continued to accuse each other of strikes overnight into Saturday morning, prompting grave concern across the world that the rival countries may engage in a full-out war. There's been a resurgence of tensions between the two countries in recent years, and thingsescalated dramaticallyafter an April 22terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmirresulted in multiple fatalities. The region of Kashmir has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since both gained their independence from Britain in 1947. The two countries control parts of the region but both claim it in full. India claimed that Pakistan supported and aided the April 22 attack in Kashmir, and launched "Operation Sindoor" in retaliation. Pakistan has denied involvement in the April 22 attack. Clashes have spiked since then, amounting to reports ofdrone and missile strikes. Amid the back-and-forth attacks, dozens of civilians have been reported killed on both sides. Read More:India and Pakistan: A Timeline of Tensions Over Kashmir Hours after the cease-fire was announced on Saturday, explosions were heard across the cities of Srinagar and Jammu in India-administered Kashmir, theAssociated Press reported. Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir,said in a post on X: "What the hell just happened to the cease-fire? Explosions heard across Srinagar." The cause of the blasts has yet to be determined. In a televised address on Saturday night, India's Foreign Secretary accused Pakistan of violating the agreement. "For the last few hours there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the directors general of military operations of India and Pakistan," Misri said,according to CNN. Pakistan officials have yet to comment. On Saturday morning, providing further details into how the United States had mediated talks between India and Pakistan,U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared an updatevia X. "Over the past 48 hours, [Vice President J.D.] Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik," he said. "I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate cease-fire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site." Vanceresponded by saying: "Great work from the President's team, especially Secretary Rubio. And my gratitude to the leaders of India and Pakistan for their hard work and willingness to engage in this cease-fire." An updateshared on social mediaby the Indian government did not mention U.S. involvement in the mediation talks. "India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries," the statement read. In contrast,Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the U.S. and took to social media to express gratitude to Trump. "We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region. Pakistan appreciates the United States for facilitating this outcome, which we have accepted in the interest of regional peace and stability," he said. Sharif went on to personally thank Vance and Rubio for "their valuable contributions for peace in South Asia," adding that Pakistan sees this as a "new beginning in the resolution of issues that have plagued the region and prevented its journey toward peace, prosperity and stability." Write toOlivia-Anne Cleary atolivia-anne.cleary@time.com.
