India Pakistan news live: Sharif harps on ‘peaceful talks’ amid ceasefire violations

A day after announcing ceasefire between India and Pakistan, United States President Donald Trump said that he was “very proud” of the leadership of both the nations and of the fact that USA helped to reach the ceasefire.

He added that he was going to “substantially” enhance trade with both India and Pakistan.

Despite the ceasefire, the border shared by India and Pakistan, particularly in Jammu, will remain on high alert, said officials on Saturday. The BSF officials said that they will remain on high alert across India-Pak border in view of the infiltration attempts by terrorists from Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed lately.

However, situation in several cities across Jammu and Kashmir seemed normal on Sunday morning after no firing or shelling was reported overnight. Visuals from cities such as Akhnoor, Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri and others show people going about their day as they woke up to no firing after four days.

After violating a ceasefire agreement with India on Saturday, Pakistan on Sunday said that it “remains committed to faithful implementation” of the agreement. “We believe that any issues in smooth implementation of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels. The troops on ground should also exercise restraint,” said a statement by Pakistan after the country’s PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the ceasefire agreement with India.

Pakistan’s statement came after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that an understanding was reached between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both Pakistan and India on Saturday, however, it was violated by Pakistan. The ceasefire violation by Pakistan was met with “adequate” and “appropriate” retaliation by the Indian Army, he added.

Hours after India and Pakistan agreed upon ceasing all hostilities across land, air, and sea on Saturday, Pakistan carried out multiple ceasefire violations. Drones were sighted in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night, followed by the sound of explosions.

Reacting to the ceasefire violations, Misri asked Pakistan to deal with the situation with “seriousness” and “responsibility”.

“We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility. The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation. They have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control,” he said.

The ceasefire was agreed upon after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations reached out to the Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours (3.35 pm) on Saturday and both of them agreed that firing and military operations would come to a halt by 17.00 hours (5.00 pm).

Earlier during the wee hours of Saturday, the Indian Air Force struck eight military sites in Pakistan, including radar units and ammunition dumps, in response to the Pakistan military’s attacks on Indian military bases and civilian areas.

India-Pakistan tensions | Key points

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced by United States President Donald Trump. He said that the US mediated the talks between the two countries.

While the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan has been reached, all other measures against Pakistan will remain including visa curbs. The Indus Waters Treaty will also remain under abeyance.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in Pakistani shelling in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, with the chiefs of all three defence services, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, and defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Following the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, complete blackouts were imposed in several cities across states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The recent military conflict between India and Pakistan comes after India avenged the deaths of 26 people who died in the terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 and struck nine terror posts in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) through precision strikes.