Fragile truce between neighbors

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan/AMRITSAR, India — A fragile ceasefire was holding between India and Pakistan on Sunday, after hours of overnight fighting despite the ceasefire between the neighbors.

The two countries were involved in intense firing for several days, the worst in nearly three decades, with missiles and drones being fired at each other's military installations and dozens of people killed.

A ceasefire agreement was reached the previous day between the two sides, but within hours, artillery fire was seen.

Blasts from air-defense systems boomed in cities near the border under blackout, similar to the previous two evenings, according to authorities, residents and Reuters witnesses.

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 violations.

In response, Pakistan said it was committed to the ceasefire and blamed India for the violations.

By dawn, the fighting and explosions reported overnight had died down on both sides of the border, according to Reuters.

Power was restored in most areas along India's border towns after a blackout the previous night.

Pakistan and India announced on Saturday they agreed on a ceasefire. It came following four days of military strikes on each other.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that Pakistan and India have agreed on a ceasefire with immediate effect.

"Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Dar said.

He said that after the recent escalation and military activities on both sides, several countries, including the US, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, were in contact with Pakistan.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Saturday that the two countries agreed to observe a ceasefire and end military actions on their borders and Line of Control.

"Pakistan (Director General of Military Operations, or DGMO) called the DGMO of India at 15:35 local time earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea with effect from 17:00 local time today," Misri said at a press briefing in New Delhi.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire agreement.

'Positive step'

"The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, said in a statement.

"He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, long-standing issues between the two countries," Dujarric said.

On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate phone talks with Pakistani and Indian sides.

During a phone conversation with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and represents the common aspiration of the international community.

China condemns the terrorist attack in the Pahalgam area and opposes all forms of terrorism, he said.

During a phone call with Dar, Wang said China hopes for and supports an early ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard.

On Wednesday, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani targets to avenge last month's killing of 26 people by gunmen in Pahalgam town, about 89 kilometers east of Srinagar, the summer capital of the India-controlled Kashmir.

The situation along the LoC dividing Kashmir had been tense as Indian and Pakistani troops deployed on both sides of the ceasefire line were engaged in an exchange of artillery and gunfire.

Agencies - Xinhua