Sat May 10 23:30:00 UTC 2025: ## India and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Intense Clashes

**ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI** – Following the worst military confrontation between India and Pakistan in decades, the two nuclear-armed nations have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, US President Donald Trump announced Saturday. The announcement came after days of intense fighting involving fighter jets, missiles, and drones, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

The conflict escalated sharply after India launched strikes on Pakistani air bases on Wednesday, reportedly targeting facilities in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. Pakistan responded with counterattacks, claiming to have targeted Indian assets and inflicted significant damage. Both sides reported casualties and damage to military installations. Pakistan also accused India of killing 11 civilians in shelling.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initially declared that his country had retaliated “befittingly” for the attacks and avenged civilian deaths. However, following intense diplomatic efforts by the United States, including calls between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior officials from both nations, the ceasefire was declared.

The US played a crucial role in mediating the conflict, with Secretary Rubio emphasizing the need to de-escalate the situation and avoid miscalculation. China and the G7 also issued calls for de-escalation. The clashes disrupted international aviation, forcing airlines to reroute flights and causing widespread school closures near the border.

While both nations made significant claims about their military successes, including Pakistan’s assertion of destroying an Indian S-400 system (a claim India denied), the ceasefire agreement marks a significant step towards de-escalation. The agreement includes a commitment to future talks on broader issues at a neutral site. The underlying territorial dispute over Kashmir, the cause of previous conflicts between the two nations, remains unresolved.

Read More