India & Pakistan agree full & immediate CEASEFIRE as Trump hails ‘common sense’ after ‘night of talks mediated by US’
INDIA and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire”, their officials confirmed.
The two countries had been trading missiles and threats for the past week, but will lay down their weapons after the US brokered a peace agreement.
Donald Trump first broke the news, writing: “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The US was forced to step in after fighting over the border intensified.
Pakistan’s foreign minister confirmed the news: “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without comprising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
India’s foreign ministry announced that military general from both countries will speak again on Monday.
Last month, dozens of tourists in India-controlled Kashmir were killed in a mass shooting – which the authorities pinned on Pakistan.
India had vowed to respond, and this week launched a volley of missiles at its neighbour.
Pakistan said early this morning it had launched a retaliatory operation against India with missile and drone strikes on 25 targets.
They claimed to have attacked airbases and weapons depots in the Indian states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, as well as locations in India-administered Kashmir.
The two nations had adopted aggressive positions, and announced named military operations against one another.
India claimed to have killed a top commander of a Pakistan-based militant group on Friday.
In the most recent escalation, Pakistan’s military said it used medium-range Fateh missiles to strike more than 25 military sites in India, dubbed “Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos”.
Pakistan’s prime minister said his country had “avenged the blood of innocent lives”.
India military officials condemned the strikes as a “blatant escalation” and said they had come under attack by drones and “other munitions”.
The US had calling on both sides to step back from the brink – efforts Trump today suggested had been successful.
Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington would help starting “constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts” .
Following the ceasefire announcement, Rubio said: “Over the past 48 hours, [JD] Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials […]
“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.”
“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace.”