India and Pakistan accuse each other of violating truce

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire yesterday after US-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades but accused each other of violating the deal just hours later.

- NAMITA SINGH

The ceasefire had been expected to bring a swift end to weeks of escalating clashes but multiple explosions were heard in two large cities of Indian-controlled Kashmir hours after the countries agreed to the deal.

Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri said late last night that "there had been repeated violations of the understanding arrived between the two countries" and accused Pakistan of breaching the agreement.

"We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility," he said at a news conference in New Delhi. Mr Misri said the Indian army was "retaliating" for what he called a "border intrusion".

In Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry blamed Indian forces for initiating the ceasefire violation. The ministry said Pakistan remains committed to the agreement and its forces were handling the situation with responsibility and restraint.

"We believe that any issues in the smooth implementation of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels," the ministry said.