Donald Trump claims credit for India-Pakistan ceasefire; agreement after Pakistan reached out, says government

NEW DELHI: After three nights of intense aerial warfare, India and Pakistan reached an understanding to end the fighting that President Donald Trump claimed was "mediated" by the US, but which India insisted was achieved bilaterally through director general of military operations (DGMO)-level talks initiated by the Pakistani side.

The understanding quickly ran into teething problems though, with India accusing Pakistan of repeatedly violating the agreement and Indian armed forces responding adequately to such attacks hours after the understanding was announced.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility. "The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation. They have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the LoC," said Misri.

Earlier in the day, against the run of the play, the conflagration seemed to have come to a quick and abrupt end after the top military officials spoke around 3.35pm, and as Misri announced, agreed both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea from 5pm IST Saturday.

"Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to the understanding," said Misri, adding that the DGMOs will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours. India did not use the word "ceasefire".
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