India, Pakistan Military Chiefs to Hold Talks Amid Ongoing Ceasefire

Top military officials from India and Pakistan are scheduled to speak on Monday to discuss detailed aspects of the ceasefire agreement reached over the weekend. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, appears to be holding, following nearly four days of intense cross-border shelling and aerial incursions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Saturday, stating it was time to end hostilities that could have caused significant death and destruction.

Since the announcement, both countries have halted direct military action, although they remain on high alert and have warned each other against violating the truce. India, in response to the calming of tensions, has reopened 32 airports for civilian use that were previously shut due to safety concerns. The conflict marked a significant escalation in the longstanding hostility between the two nations, which have fought two wars over Kashmir — a Himalayan region both countries claim in full but only administer in part.

The latest bout of hostilities stemmed from a militant attack on 22 April in the scenic Pahalgam valley of Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India blamed a Pakistan-based militant group for the assault, a claim Islamabad denied. This led to India launching retaliatory strikes on 7 May, targeting nine locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

During the days that followed, both nations accused each other of cross-border shelling and claimed to have downed rival drones and aircraft. As the conflict escalated, both sides also reported attacking military installations. Indian sources stated they had struck 11 Pakistani Air Force bases, including one in Rawalpindi near Islamabad, and claimed Pakistan suffered 35-40 casualties at the Line of Control (LoC). India acknowledged some aircraft losses but declared the operations a military success.

Pakistan confirmed that some Indian projectiles landed on its airbases and, in response, claimed to have attacked around 26 Indian military facilities. It also claimed that its drones operated over New Delhi, though India did not comment on this specific claim. Moreover, Pakistan alleged that it shot down five Indian aircraft, including three French-made Rafales. India, however, neither acknowledged the claim nor commented on the number of aircraft lost, only stating that "losses are a part of combat."

Indian defence forces also claimed that they targeted nine militant training camps within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 militants. Regarding a rumored captured Indian pilot, Pakistan denied holding any Indian personnel, and India confirmed that all its pilots had returned.

Despite both countries claiming victory and maintaining their respective narratives, the ceasefire has brought a temporary pause to what was quickly becoming a full-scale conflict. The planned talks between senior military officials aim to solidify the ceasefire terms and prevent further escalation. The situation remains fragile, with both sides maintaining a defensive posture and the potential for renewed conflict if diplomatic efforts falter.