Desk Report, Srinagar, May 10(DD)
In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, following marathon negotiations mediated by the United States.
The announcement was made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who took to social media to declare the outcome. “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,” Trump wrote on X.
Confirming the development, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also posted on X, stating, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing, confirmed that the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both countries spoke at 15:35 IST, during which they agreed to halt all military activity—on land, in air, and at sea—from 5:00 PM IST.
Misri further stated that both sides had issued orders to their respective ground units to implement the ceasefire. A follow-up DGMO-level communication has been scheduled for May 12 at 12:00 noon to review the situation and reinforce commitments.
The ceasefire comes after a sharp escalation of hostilities, which began in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, where 26 tourists, including one local resident, were killed in a brutal assault blamed on Pakistan-based militants. The attack, one of the deadliest on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, triggered widespread outrage and a forceful military response from India, including precision airstrikes on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC).
Over the past week, multiple sectors along the LoC witnessed intense shelling and cross-border firing. Indian military installations in Punjab, Jammu, and Kashmir came under attack, and retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases and radar sites heightened fears of a broader conflict.
The ceasefire has been welcomed by the international community, which had repeatedly urged restraint. The United Nations, along with key global powers, backed efforts to de-escalate the crisis. Washington played a particularly active role in shuttle diplomacy over the past 72 hours, engaging both New Delhi and Islamabad to broker a truce.
As of now, both countries have agreed to monitor compliance closely. The situation remains tense but calm across the border, with relief evident among civilians living in frontier areas (DD)
