After four days of intense cross-border conflict, India and Pakistan reached a sudden agreement for an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, halting what had become the worst fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. The escalation began with deadly strikes and retaliatory attacks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where artillery fire and drone strikes had become frequent, prompting international concern about the risk of a broader war. The ceasefire was announced following overnight negotiations, with both sides agreeing to stop all military actions by land, air, and sea from 5 p.m. local time.

The breakthrough came after significant diplomatic intervention, especially from the United States. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly claimed credit for brokering the deal, stating they had held marathon talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over a 48-hour period. While the US hailed the agreement as a testament to "common sense and great intelligence," both India and Pakistan offered differing accounts of the extent of American involvement, with India emphasizing that the agreement was reached directly between the two countries.

Despite the announcement, the ceasefire’s fragility became apparent within hours. Explosions and gunfire were reported in Srinagar and other border areas, with India accusing Pakistan of violating the newly established truce. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri warned that any further infractions would be met with decisive responses, while Pakistan’s officials denied any breaches and accused India of provocations. Both sides continued to trade accusations, reflecting deep mistrust and the volatile nature of the situation.

The ceasefire was met with relief among civilians in both countries and especially in the disputed regions of Kashmir, where celebrations broke out amid hopes for lasting peace. However, the underlying disputes over Kashmir and water-sharing remained unresolved, and punitive measures such as trade suspensions and visa cancellations were left in place. The agreement included plans for further talks, but whether the truce would hold remained uncertain as both militaries stayed on high alert.