Tensions escalate in India-Pakistan conflict

India said Sunday its surprise strikes into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir last week have rattled Pakistan, as the truce agreed to one day earlier appeared shaky at best.

Saturday’s ceasefire was struggling to hold hours later amid overnight fighting in disputed Kashmir.

Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, the head of India’s military operations, said India’s armed forces killed more than 100 militants last week and hit nine training and infrastructure facilities.

“We achieved total surprise,” Lt. Gen. Khai told reporters in New Delhi. He labeled Pakistan’s response “erratic and rattled.”

Both countries have engaged in clashes over the last few weeks after tourists were slain in a portion of Kashmir controlled by India last month. The Indian government blamed Pakistan for the attack, which left 26 dead, while the Pakistani government denied involvement.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Thursday that his country had killed approximately 40 to 50 Indian soldiers.

Drone strikes and missile volleys from the nuclear-armed countries had intensified as the U.S. government sought a pause in the conflict along the border.

President Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire” between India and Pakistan on Saturday following days of rising tensions filled with military strikes and counterstrikes on the respective countries’ military installations.

“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,” Mr. Trump said on social media on Saturday. “Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted in a statement that he and Vice President J.D. Vance were involved in brokering a truce.

Mr. Rubio said that he and Mr. Vance engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and military officials from the respective countries “over the past 48 hours.”

“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Mr. Rubio said.

Mr. Vance lauded “the President’s team, especially Secretary Rubio,” in a post on X, adding that he was grateful to the “leaders of India and Pakistan for their hard work and willingness to engage in this ceasefire.”

Mr. Vance previously told Fox News in an interview earlier this week that the U.S. could try to encourage deescalation between India and Pakistan, “but we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war that’s fundamentally none of our business and has nothing to do with America’s ability to control it.”

“You know, America can’t tell the Indians to lay down their arms. We can’t tell the Pakistanis to lay down their arms. And so, we’re going to continue to pursue this thing through diplomatic channels,” he said.

Officials in both India and Pakistan acknowledged the ceasefire shortly after Mr. Trump’s announcement.

External Affairs Minister of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recognized the stoppage in a post on X, writing that both “worked out an understanding” to end military action.

“India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said. “It will continue to do so.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed that message, and said in a post on X that both sides had agreed to “a ceasefire with immediate effect.”

“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region,” he said. “Without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”

Reporters have been unable to verify all of the military actions attributed to India and Pakistan in recent days. The operations head of the Indian air force refused to comment on claims of Pakistan downing Indian jets.

Intense shelling in the area of Indian-controlled Kashmir left people feeling traumatized. College student Sosan Zehra returned home Sunday after the shelling and said, “It was completely chaotic.”

Residents in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir also witnessed heavy exchanges of gunfire and are hoping the pause in fighting develops.

“We were happy about the announcement but, once again, the situation feels uncertain,” said Mohammad Zahid.