India and Pakistan on Saturday accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement, after explosions were heard in both the India- and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir, international media reported.
Loud blasts were heard in Indian-administrated Kashmir on Saturday evening, just three hours after India and Pakistan agreed to observe a ceasefire and end military actions, reported Xinhua, quoting officials.
The massive blasts were audible in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-administrated Kashmir.
According to the region's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, explosions were heard across Srinagar. "This is no ceasefire. The air defense units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up."
It was reported that in Akhnoor, Rajouri, and R S Pura sections, the two sides exchanged heavy shelling and artillery. The exchange of fire was also reported along the Line of Control (LoC) in Palanwalla section of Jammu.
Immediately after the blasts, a blackout was enforced.
Meanwhile, the sounds of multiple explosions were heard over Pakistan-administered Kashmir early Saturday evening local time, reported Cable News Network (CNN).
Pakistan’s foreign ministry late on Saturday local time said the country “remains committed to a faithful implementation of the ceasefire” announced with India earlier in the day, amid accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides.
The foreign ministry statement accused India of committing violations of the truce “in some areas,” without giving specific details, but said Pakistan’s armed forces handled the situation with “responsibility and restraint.”
Pakistan said it believed that any issues in implementing the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at the “appropriate levels” and urged troops on the ground to exercise discretion.
In videos shared with CNN from the Bhimber district, dozens of explosions can be heard reverberating through the sky in rapid bursts. The videos also appear to show specks of light, possibly projectiles flying through the air.
A local government source told CNN that the explosions were attacks from the Indian side of the Line of Control, the mutually agreed upon ceasefire line in Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan and India announced that they had agreed on a ceasefire.
The announcement came following four days of military strikes on each other.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that Pakistan and India have agreed on a ceasefire with immediate effect.
"Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Dar said.
He said that after the recent escalation and military activities on both sides, several countries, including the U.S., Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, were in contact with Pakistan.
Diplomatic efforts were underway throughout the day, following which a ceasefire agreement was reached, he added.
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Saturday that the two countries agreed to observe a ceasefire and end military actions on their borders and Line of Control (LoC).
"Pakistan (Director General of Military Operations, or DGMO) called the DGMO of India at 15:35 local time earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea with effect from 17:00 local time today. Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding," Misri said at a press briefing in New Delhi.
According to Misri, the DGMOs will talk again on May 12 at 12:00 local time.
On Wednesday, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani targets to avenge last month's killing of 26 people by gunmen in Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The situation along the LoC dividing Kashmir had been tense as troops of India and Pakistan deployed on both sides of the ceasefire line were engaged in an exchange of fire and artillery.
On Wednesday, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani targets to avenge last month's killing of 26 people by gunmen in Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administrated Kashmir, said Xinhua.
India blamed Pakistan for being behind the incident, a charge denied by Pakistan.
The situation along the LoC dividing Kashmir had been tense as troops of India and Pakistan deployed on both sides of the ceasefire line were engaged in an exchange of fire and artillery.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
