Leaders Across Party Lines Laud Ceasefire

Leaders across party lines on Saturday welcomed the agreement reached between India and Pakistan to stop all military actions against each other after four days of intense armed confrontation, but opposition parties called for an all-party meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

- Vrinda Tulsian

NEW DELHI:

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri announced the ceasefire agreement at a press briefing at 6 pm, saying that the understanding was reached after a call initiated by the Pakistani military, and both sides agreed to "stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea".

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the development but criticised the delay. "If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost," he said. He said that deputy commissioners were instructed to assess the damage immediately so that relief work could begin.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis supported the ceasefire decision taken by both the countries. "It is a really good step," he said. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav said, "Under the leadership of PM Modi, whatever decision the government of India takes will be right. This is definitely a win for India which dealt with its enemies very well."

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called the ceasefire a "welcome step" and credited the US for its role. In a video message, she said, "I hope both countries will work towards an everlasting peace for this region."