Pakistan-India War: Ceasefire Breached Amid Clashes

Pakistan and India have accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement just hours after it was brokered by U.S.-led diplomacy, reigniting fears of a full-scale war between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Explosions rocked India-controlled Kashmir late Saturday, with both sides blaming the other for breaching the truce meant to end the worst military confrontation in decades. The clashes, rooted in the long-running Pakistan-India war over Kashmir, underscore the volatility of a conflict that has already claimed over 60 civilian lives since April 18.

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Ceasefire Collapses Amid Mutual Accusations

The latest chapter in the Pakistan-India war erupted hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire” on Saturday, crediting Washington’s mediation for the breakthrough. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri claimed Pakistan had committed “repeated violations” of the agreement, citing artillery fire and drone strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. “Our forces are retaliating strongly,” Misri declared, accusing Pakistan of a “border intrusion”.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry swiftly countered, blaming India for initiating the clashes and vowing to handle the situation with “restraint.” A spokesperson stated, “We remain committed to the ceasefire, but India’s provocations cannot go unanswered”. The dueling narratives left residents in Srinagar and Jammu scrambling for shelter as explosions echoed through the night. Omar Abdullah, Kashmir’s former chief minister, captured the chaos on social media: “What the hell just happened? Explosions everywhere—this is no ceasefire!”.

From Diplomacy to Disaster: A Timeline of Escalation

The Pakistan-India war tensions escalated after an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where militants killed 26 Hindu tourists. India blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba for the massacre, launching “Operation Sindoor” on May 8 airstrikes targeting alleged militant camps in Pakistani Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks, striking Indian airbases and triggering a cycle of violence that brought the region to the brink of war.

By Saturday, the conflict had spiraled into cross-border missile strikes. India claimed it hit Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui airbases in Pakistan, while Islamabad said it destroyed Indian missile depots in Pathankot and Udhampur. Civilian casualties mounted, with 66 dead and thousands displaced. “It feels like a war zone,” said Shesh Paul Vaid, a Jammu resident, as explosions rattled military installations.

U.S. Role: Mediator or Opportunist?

While Trump hailed the ceasefire as a triumph of “common sense,” the U.S. role remains contentious. Indian officials downplayed Washington’s involvement, insisting the deal was negotiated directly between military commanders. Pakistan, however, praised Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spent 48 hours in backchannel talks with leaders like PM Shehbaz Sharif and India’s Narendra Modi.

Behind the scenes, U.S. intelligence reportedly alerted the White House to an imminent escalation, prompting Vice President JD Vance to urge Modi to de-escalate. “The U.S. pushed on an open door,” noted a CNN analysis, as neither side could afford a prolonged conflict.

Kashmir: The Powder Keg

At the heart of the Pakistan-India war lies Kashmir, a Himalayan region both nations claim in full. Partitioned in 1947, it has sparked three wars and countless skirmishes. India’s 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy intensified unrest, with militants increasingly targeting security forces and civilians. Pakistan denies backing insurgents but frames its stance as “moral support” for Kashmiri self-determination.

The recent clashes saw unprecedented tactics: Pakistan deployed Turkish-made drones, while India used Israeli-supplied missile systems. Social media flooded with videos of air defenses lighting up the night sky a surreal spectacle for residents like Mohammed Yasin, who described “booms so loud, my children woke up screaming”.

Human Toll and Global Reactions

Civilian suffering has been staggering. In Pakistani Kashmir, 13 died in a single day of shelling; India reported 21 fatalities from retaliatory strikes. Blackouts paralyzed cities like Srinagar, while Delhi designated metro stations as bomb shelters. “War brings nothing but suffering,” said Zubaida Bibi, an Islamabad resident, echoing relief at the truce 48.

Internationally, the G7 condemned the Pahalgam attack, while the UN and UK urged restraint. Germany called the ceasefire a “first step,” and China offered to mediate—a nod to its regional ambitions.

What’s Next?

Despite the truce, punitive measures like trade suspensions and visa bans remain. India also halted the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, a move experts warn could devastate Pakistani agriculture. With military talks slated for May 12, the path to peace is fraught. As retired Indian diplomat Subrahmanyam Jaishankar warned, “Trust is scarce—one misstep could reignite the Pakistan-India war”