India, Pakistan give diverging statements on Kashmir border situation

KARACHI, Pakistan

India and Pakistan Saturday gave diverging statements about the situation along the Line of Control in disputed Jammu and Kashmir.

It came hours after the two nuclear-armed neighbors agreed to a US-mediated ceasefire after days of heightened military escalations after cross-border airstrikes.

According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, there have been “repeated violations of the understanding” arrived earlier between the directors general of military operations of India and Pakistan.

“This is a breach of the understanding… We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,” he said.

However, Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar told local broadcaster Geo that there was “no ceasefire violation from his country.”

“Pakistanis are celebrating the occasion. There is a jubilant environment here. Why would we do that,” he said. “These allegations are untrue and cooked up.”

Addressing the nation, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the US, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, China, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and the UK for playing a role in de-escalating the situation with India.

He hoped “meaningful dialogue will be held to resolve water sharing and Kashmir disputes.”

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “I am pleased to announce the governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.”