PEACE HOPE
India & Pakistan agree full & immediate CEASEFIRE as Trump hails ‘common sense’ after ‘night of talks mediated by US’
World leaders had feared the two nations were edging towards 'all-out war'
INDIA and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire", their officials confirmed.
The two countries had been trading missiles and threats for the past week, but will lay down their weapons after the United States brokered a peace agreement.
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Donald Trump first broke the news, writing: "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
But just hours after the ceasefire was agreed, multiple explosions were heard in Inidan-controlled Kashmir.
The US was forced to step in after fighting over the border intensified - particularly around the contested Kashmir region.
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Pakistan's foreign minister confirmed the news, writing: "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.
"Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without comprising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
India’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire began at 5pm in India - 1pm UK time - and that military generals from both countries will speak again on Monday.
David Lammy, the UK's foreign secretary, said: "Today’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome.
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"I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody’s interest."
Relations between the two nuclear-armed countries have long been brittle - but nosedived last month after dozens of tourists in India-controlled Kashmir were killed in a mass shooting.
India strikes Pakistan airbase with 'ballistic missile' as nations on brink of war
The Indian authorities pinned the terror attack on Pakistan, but the latter claimed is had no involvement.
India vowed a response, and this week launched a volley of missiles at what it called "terror targets" inside its neighbour.
It also claimed to have killed a top commander of a Pakistan-based militant group on Friday.
Both countries mobilised troops and began shifting weapons towards the border.
The government in New Dehli gave the green light for India's military chiefs to call up the territorial army.
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Pakistan said early on Saturday morning it had launched a retaliatory operation against India with missile and drone strikes on 25 targets in dubbed "Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos".
They claimed to have attacked airbases and weapons depots in the Indian states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan - as well as locations in India-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan’s prime minister said his country had “avenged the blood of innocent lives”.
Indian military officials condemned the strikes as a "blatant escalation" and said they had come under attack by drones and "other munitions".
The US had been calling on both sides to step back from the brink - efforts that were today proved successful.
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Trump's secretary of state Marco Rubio previously said Washington would facilitate "constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts" .
Following the ceasefire announcement, Rubio said: "Over the past 48 hours, [JD] Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials [...]
"I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site."
"We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace."
Pakistan announced that all air travel had resumed after a number of international flights were delayed and grounded.
Despite the ceasefire, a key water treaty between the two countries has not yet been resumed.
The Indus Water Treaty is an agreement to share water from the Indus river basin - but India pulled out last month after the terror attack on its soil.
In a press conference on Saturday afternoon, an Indian military spokesperson denied that religious sites had been targeted in Pakistan.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said: “We hold every place of worship of all faiths in the highest regard,” and accused Pakistan of peddling a misinformation campaign.
The full ceasefire statement from Pakistan said that numerous countries had been involved in the negotiations - including the UK.
Pakistan's foreign minster, Ishaq Dar, said: “We mutually agreed to a ceasefire at 4.30pm local Pakistan time.
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"Many countries were involved in the process including US, the UK and Gulf countries. I thanked all the countries who diffused tensions.
"There will be a full ceasefire including on the Line of Control.”
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