India, Pakistan reach fleeting ceasefire deal

Both trade blame for truce violations

- 

India and Pakistan traded accusations of ceasefire violations early yesterday, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the nuclear-armed neighbours had stepped back from the brink of full-blown war.

India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, said it had retaliated after Pakistan’s “repeated violations” of the truce, while Pakistan stated it “remains committed” to the ceasefire and that its forces were handling violations by India with “responsibility and restraint”.

AFP staff in Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir, reported hearing loud explosions. A senior official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir told AFP that an “intermittent exchange of fire is ongoing” across the de facto border in the contested region, the Line of Control (LoC).

Further details were not immediately available and the claims could not be independently verified.

On Saturday, Pakistan and India had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone and artillery attacks that killed at least 60 people and forced thousands to flee their homes along the border as well as in divided Kashmir.

The news was surprisingly announced by President Trump on Saturday.

“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,” Mr Trump posted.