87 hours, 56 minutes... and counting?

India, Pakistan announce halt in hostilities as Trump claims role in brokering ceasefire; hours later, shelling and drone sightings sow doubts over Islamabad's commitment

- Rezaul H Laskar and Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan agreed on Saturday to stop all military actions against each other, bringing to an end four days of fierce fighting across the western border, although by late evening, there were enough violations by Pakistan to evoke a strong statement from India.

The four-day scrap represented the worst face-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in decades and stoked fears of a full-blown war.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri announced the ceasefire around 6pm, minutes after US President Donald Trump made the surprise declaration on social media. But he returned at a hurriedly called and brief press briefing at 11pm to confirm that Pakistan repeatedly violated the ceasefire in the evening and that the armed forces had given an adequate and appropriate response. There were unconfirmed reports of drone sightings in several border provinces, including Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. However, the intensity of attacks was lower than that seen in previous rounds, and India, according to people familiar with the matter, did not retaliate by targeting specific targets in Pakistan.

The violations marred the announcement of the ceasefire, which Trump and US officials attributed to intense mediation by their country, although Indian officials said it was worked out directly by the two countries.

"The Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hours Indian Standard Time earlier today. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours IST today," Misri said earlier in the day.

"Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to the understanding. The Director Generals of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours," he added, without giving details.