Explosions Erupt Hours After India, Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – India and Pakistan agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire on Saturday following four days of heavy fighting, but the truce quickly faltered as explosions were reported in border areas, prompting mutual accusations of violations.
Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on Saturday after intense diplomatic pressure from the United States.
The agreement came after four days of hostilities that marked the worst fighting in nearly three decades.
Despite the truce, explosions and artillery fire were reported within hours in Indian-Administered Kashmir, a region central to the conflict.
Residents, authorities, and Reuters witnesses described drone activity and blasts from air defense systems in cities under blackout.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
He said Indian forces were instructed to "deal strongly" with any further breaches.
"We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility," Misri told reporters.
Pakistan's foreign ministry responded that it remained committed to the truce and blamed India for the violations.
"Our forces are handling the situation with responsibility and restraint," the ministry said.
It urged field troops to show restraint and proposed that implementation issues be resolved through appropriate communication channels.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson declined immediate comment.
The recent clashes raised fears of full-scale war, with brief concerns that nuclear forces could be mobilized.
Pakistan's military had announced a potential meeting of its nuclear oversight body, though the defense minister later denied any such plan.
The prior night of fighting left 66 civilians dead, with both sides targeting each other’s military installations.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on X: "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!"
Misri said military operations chiefs from both nations had agreed to halt hostilities by 5 p.m. Indian time (1130 GMT).
US President Donald Trump had earlier posted: "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."
Dar told Geo News that communication lines and military hotlines between India and Pakistan had been restored.
He credited over 30 nations with supporting the agreement.
The conflict intensified after India struck what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani Kashmir and Pakistan.
The strikes came two weeks after an attack killed 26 Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir.
Pakistan denied any involvement in the incident.
Several days of cross-border shelling, missile strikes, and drone attacks followed.
Despite the ceasefire, two Indian government sources told Reuters that punitive actions, including trade suspensions and visa cancellations, would remain in place.
They added that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, suspended by India after the Kashmir attack, would not be reinstated for now.
The Indian foreign ministry did not comment.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and Vice President JD Vance had coordinated with leaders from both countries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, their respective foreign ministers, army chiefs, and national security advisers.
In a statement on X, Rubio praised the ceasefire and confirmed it included a plan to begin broader talks at a neutral location.
Pakistan’s airport authority reopened its airspace following the announcement, and initial public reaction was relief.
However, new explosions reignited tensions.
"What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!" Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Indian Kashmir, posted on X.
"This is no ceasefire. The air defense units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up."
India and Pakistan have disputed Kashmir since their independence from Britain in 1947.
They have fought three wars, including two over Kashmir, alongside repeated smaller conflicts.
India blames Pakistan for a decades-long insurgency in its portion of Kashmir and for attacks by militant groups.
Pakistan denies the allegations, saying it only offers political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
