A ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan aimed at halting their most serious military confrontation in decades was shaken overnight as heavy exchanges of fire were reported along the disputed Kashmir border. Residents on both sides of the Line of Control said Indian and Pakistani forces traded gunfire and shelling overnight. The fighting subsided by Sunday morning but cast doubt on the durability of the truce, which was announced just a day earlier. The two nuclear-armed countries agreed Saturday to halt all military actions by land, sea, and air following U.S.-mediated talks. However, both sides quickly accused each other of violating the agreement. Indian officials reported drone activity Saturday night over Indian-controlled Kashmir and the western state of Gujarat. In the Indian-administered district of Poonch, residents described the recent shelling as traumatic. "Most people ran as shells were being fired," said college student Sosan Zehra, who had just returned home. "It was completely chaotic." In Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Neelum Valley, just three kilometers from the Line of Control, residents reported shelling after the ceasefire announcement. "We were happy about the announcement but, once again, the situation feels uncertain," said local resident Mohammad Zahid. The ceasefire was first publicly announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. Indian and Pakistani officials confirmed the deal soon afterward, though India has not publicly acknowledged U.S. involvement since. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with senior government and military officials on Sunday to assess the situation. India and Pakistan's top military officials are expected to hold another round of talks on Monday. Despite the ceasefire, daily fighting has continued along the rugged Line of Control, where villages sit near watchtowers, razor wire, and bunkers. Both militaries have blamed the other for initiating the clashes, while claiming they were acting in retaliation. — Agencies
