A full ceasefire has been announced between India and Pakistan after the two nuclear-armed nations exchanged missile strikes across multiple military sites.
The announcement came soon after Pakistan announced it re-opened its airspace as the ceasefire went into effect.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif thanked the military for bringing “happiness, pride, and respect to the nation”.
The chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, also weighed in. She said the fighting “made the world understand that Pakistan’s defence is invincible,” according to a statement carried by state broadcaster PTV news.
Indian politicians also welcomed the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor saying, “Peace is essential.” “India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted war to teach terrorists a lesson, and that lesson has been taught,” he told reporters.
From Delhi, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal congratulated both sides on the ceasefire.
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“Now we won’t see the loss of innocent lives who have nothing to do with the war,” he said, but warned that the war will continue if Pakistan becomes a “hotbed of terrorism.”
Ravinder Raina, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regional leader in Indian-administered Kashmir, said the Indian army made Pakistan pay “for every nefarious act.”
“Pakistan has fallen to its knees and is crawling at the feet of America and PM Modi,” he claimed.
Before the announcement India and Pakistan exchanged heavy missile and drone fire on Saturday morning in a dramatic military escalation, prompting fears of all-out war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Following several nights of Indian airstrikes inside Pakistani territory, Islamabad announced the launch of a large-scale counter-operation titled “Bunyan Marsoos.”
According to Pakistan, Indian forces first launched drones into its airspace before firing ballistic missiles at three strategic airbases. These included Nur Khan airbase near Rawalpindi, a vital logistics and transport hub; Murid airbase in Chakwal, known for its role in air defence; and Rafiqui airbase in Shorkot, which hosts key fighter squadrons.
In retaliation, Pakistan said it struck at least six Indian military facilities. Among the sites named were Udhampur and Pathankot airbases in Indian-administered Kashmir and Punjab respectively, both essential to India’s military infrastructure.
Pakistan also hit Drangyari and Uri, artillery and field support sites near the Line of Control, as well as Nagrota and Beas, known for housing BrahMos missile systems. The Indian airbase in Adampur, home to S-400 defence systems, and Bhuj in Gujarat were also targeted.
India, for its part, claimed that Pakistan initiated hostilities. Senior Indian military officials accused Pakistan of using loitering munitions, drones and long-range missiles to hit both civilian and military infrastructure.
India said that while many of Pakistan’s drones and missiles were intercepted, several bases did suffer minor damage. However, Indian officials rejected Pakistan’s claims of significant destruction and shared time-stamped imagery to support their version.
At least five Indian civilians were reported killed in Saturday’s strikes. India insisted its military response was justified and proportionate. Pakistan denied Indian claims of targeting civilians and challenged India to provide evidence.
