India-Pakistan Ceasefire Shaken by Overnight Clashes in Kashmir

A fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan was thrown into doubt overnight as intense fighting erupted across the disputed Kashmir region, just hours after both sides agreed to halt hostilities.

Residents on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, reported heavy exchanges of gunfire and shelling. The skirmishes tapered off by Sunday morning, but not before reigniting fears of further escalation.

The ceasefire deal was announced just a day earlier, following diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalating one of the most serious military standoffs between the nuclear-armed neighbors in recent decades. Tensions had soared after a deadly gun attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last week, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied any involvement.

As part of the truce, both countries had agreed to immediately halt military operations across land, air, and sea. However, within hours of the announcement, each side accused the other of violating the agreement multiple times.

Indian officials reported the sighting of drones over Indian-controlled Kashmir and the western state of Gujarat on Saturday night. In Poonch, a region in Indian-administered Kashmir, residents described the past few days of shelling as deeply traumatizing.

“Most people ran as shells were being fired,” said Sosan Zehra, a college student who returned home on Sunday. “It was completely chaotic.”

In Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, just three kilometers (two miles) from the LoC, locals also reported fresh shelling and gunfire following the ceasefire announcement.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to publicly announce the ceasefire deal via his Truth Social platform. Indian and Pakistani officials confirmed the agreement shortly afterward. Pakistan has expressed gratitude to the U.S., and particularly to Trump, for helping mediate the truce. India, meanwhile, has remained silent on Washington’s role. Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting with senior military and government officials on Sunday to assess the situation.

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire as a “positive step toward easing tensions.” He expressed hope that the agreement could pave the way for lasting peace and dialogue on the region's long-standing disputes.

Military leaders from both India and Pakistan are scheduled to speak on Monday to further discuss the ceasefire and assess compliance.

Hostilities between the two countries have continued daily since Wednesday along the rugged and heavily fortified LoC, marked by watchtowers, razor wire, and bunkers. Each side has accused the other of instigating the clashes while claiming their own actions were in retaliation.

Kashmir remains a deeply contentious region, claimed in full by both nations but divided between them. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence, two of which were over Kashmir. Their relationship continues to be defined by military conflict, aggressive posturing, and deep-seated mistrust.