India and Pakistan Announce Ceasefire, Then Resume Clashes

India and Pakistan exchanged a ceasefire at the weekend after several days of heavy cross-fire claimed dozens of lives and pushed nuclear arch-enemies to the precipice of complete war. Nevertheless, peace prospects were shattered after reports of fresh fire were confirmed within hours. Indian officials attributed the ceasefire breakdown to Pakistan, which was rejected by Islamabad as the two parties launched shell exchanges across the Line of Control (LoC).

The atmosphere was strained, with social media accounts of midnight shelling and daily reports of explosions in cities like Srinagar. The fragile ceasefire had been negotiated at the last minute, with US President Donald Trump tweeting the deal and congratulating the diplomatic efforts. Indian and Pakistani army commanders were said to have agreed to end all military action, but neither of them made any direct mention of any U.S. mediation in their public addresses. The Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently also expressed gratitude to a number of world leaders, including Trump, for easing tension.

The recent intensification was on Indian air raids against Pakistani territories, for which they justified the same as retribution for a terror attack that killed 26 civilians on an Indian-held Kashmir. New Delhi blamed the assault on Pakistan-based militants and Islamabad decried the attack as an act which must be probed internationally. Matters quickly spun out of control with tit-for-tat drone attacks, gunfire from artillery and propaganda, prominently on social networking sites, sponsored by both the countries.

The violence took its toll in civilian deaths on both sides, with over 30 having been killed by Pakistan and nearly two dozen by India. Global powers, the G7, and local giants like Saudi Arabia and Iran called for restraint and diplomacy in no uncertain terms. Even as U.S. officials had dispatched mixed signals on their intervention, American Secretary of State Marco Rubio later claimed that he had brokered the ceasefire to take place. Even amidst all these happenings, India downplayed reports of broader talks and remained consistent with its hardline stance towards national security and antiterrorism.

Locals on the ground were cautious on the LoC. In Kashmir, which was occupied by Indians, Indians were both cheerful and frightened, unsure if peace was going to prevail. Most had already lost sleep with all-around shelling all through the day and night. Those who had settled near Pakistani army bases had a night of terror and destruction. Others wondered how fears were given wings to such lethal heights over something that could have been cordially asked and conveyed.

Despite the ceasefire declaration, there is still high tension, mutual suspicion on both sides regarding ceasefire duration and reluctance to maintain peace without continuous diplomatic effort.