Missiles, Drones, and Airstrikes: How India and Pakistan Reached an Uneasy Ceasefire

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi/Islamabad – What started as one of the most intense military confrontations between India and Pakistan in decades ended almost as abruptly as it began, after four days of relentless missile strikes, drone attacks, and airstrikes. The historic foes reached an unexpected ceasefire, facilitated by a series of high-level phone calls and diplomatic interventions, particularly from the United States.

The flare-up, marked by fighter jets and explosive-laden drones, came in the wake of a massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India attributed to Pakistan. As the situation escalated, fears of an all-out war between the nuclear-armed neighbors loomed large.

The breakthrough came on Saturday afternoon, when a message was sent through a “hotline” from a senior Pakistani military official to his Indian counterpart, according to India’s military officials. India’s Director General of Military Operations, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, confirmed that just after 3:35 p.m. local time, the ceasefire agreement was struck, following a tense exchange of calls.

While both India and Pakistan have different accounts of the events leading to the ceasefire, the key communication was initiated by Pakistan. Officials from Islamabad stated that intermediaries, particularly from the U.S., played a pivotal role in the talks. According to a Pakistani official involved in the negotiations, Washington made crucial calls to both sides, stressing the importance of de-escalation.

India’s military spokesman elaborated that while the initial message came from Pakistan, further discussions would be necessary to ensure the ceasefire’s durability. However, Pakistan’s military did not confirm if follow-up calls took place, although it did mention receiving assurances from the U.S. that India would uphold the ceasefire.

The ceasefire brings a temporary halt to the hostilities, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved. The military operations, which had sparked fears of a broader conflict, left deep scars on both sides, with casualties and widespread damage in border areas.