AMRITSAR, India / MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan. A tentative ceasefire between India and Pakistan appeared to be holding on Sunday, following four days of the most intense cross-border fighting in nearly three decades. The violence, which saw the use of drones and missiles on military installations, left nearly 70 people dead and raised fears of escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The ceasefire came after diplomatic interventions, including pressure from the United States. However, within hours of the agreement, artillery fire was reported in Indian-administered Kashmir, the epicenter of long-standing territorial tensions between the two countries.
In response to reports of renewed shelling, Indian authorities accused Pakistan of violating the truce and stated that their armed forces had been ordered to “deal strongly” with any future breaches. Pakistan, meanwhile, denied the accusation and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire, blaming India for the violations.
“Late on Saturday, India said Pakistan had violated the understanding arrived to stop firing and that the Indian armed forces had been instructed to ‘deal strongly’ with any repetition.”
By Sunday morning, calm had returned to much of the border area, and power was restored to several towns on the Indian side following blackout conditions. Residents in cities like Amritsar, where the revered Golden Temple is located, emerged from their homes after sirens signaled a return to normal activity.
“Ever since the day terrorists attacked people in Pahalgam we have been shutting our shops very early and there was an uncertainty. I am happy that at least there will be no bloodshed on both sides,” said Satvir Singh Alhuwalia, a 48-year-old shopkeeper in Amritsar.
The hostilities began on Wednesday, roughly two weeks after an attack in Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir claimed the lives of 26 Hindus. Indian authorities blamed Pakistani-based Islamist groups for the incident. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting militants operating in Kashmir, a charge Islamabad denies, saying it offers only political and diplomatic backing to separatists.
Speaking on the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump applauded the ceasefire and expressed his willingness to play a more active role in resolving the Kashmir conflict.
“While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if… a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Pakistan officials acknowledged overnight firing in Bhimber, located in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, but reported no casualties elsewhere.
The long-running Kashmir dispute stems from the partition of British India in 1947, which led to the creation of Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The two nations have fought three wars since independence, two of them over Kashmir, and the region remains a volatile flashpoint.
For those living along the border, the lull in violence has brought a sense of relief.
“More than me, my family is happy because my children and wife have been calling me every hour to check on me. Thank God the ceasefire happened,” said Guruman Singh, a security guard in Amritsar.
As of Sunday, both countries remain on edge, watching cautiously to see whether the ceasefire will hold and whether any diplomatic breakthroughs on Kashmir can finally be achieved.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
