India, Pakistan Hold Military Talks After Border Clashes

Senior military officials from India and Pakistan began discussions Monday to outline the implementation framework for the ceasefire both sides agreed upon over the weekend, following four days of heightened hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC).

The truce, mediated by the United States, held firm overnight despite earlier cross-border attacks, drone sightings, and airspace violations. The diplomatic breakthrough came after intense clashes left dozens dead and raised fears of a wider conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire, urging an end to hostilities that risked escalating into full-scale warfare. Both New Delhi and Islamabad have since halted active military operations but remain on alert, with each side warning the other of immediate retaliation in the event of a breach.

As normalcy begins to return, India has reopened 32 civilian airports that were previously shut amid rising tensions. Authorities had earlier extended airport closures through Thursday but lifted restrictions Monday morning after assessing improved security conditions.

The latest confrontation stems from a militant assault in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 personnel. India accused a Pakistan-based group of orchestrating the attack. Pakistan has rejected involvement.

In response to the Pahalgam incident, Indian forces conducted airstrikes on May 7, targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Indian military reported the destruction of multiple militant training camps and the deaths of over 100 insurgents.

Subsequently, both countries traded accusations of cross-border shelling. India claimed to have hit 11 Pakistan Air Force installations, including one near Islamabad, and reported inflicting casualties on 35 to 40 Pakistani troops at the LoC. Pakistan confirmed Indian ordnance had reached some of its airbases but provided no figures.

Pakistan’s military, meanwhile, stated it struck 26 Indian military facilities and deployed drones over Indian territory, including areas near the capital, Delhi. New Delhi acknowledged the impact of Pakistani projectiles but declined to comment on drone activity or the extent of damages.

Additionally, Pakistan asserted that it had downed five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets. India has not validated the losses but said Sunday that operational attrition is an inherent part of combat.

Pakistan’s claim that an Indian pilot was captured after ejecting from a downed aircraft was denied by both nations. Indian authorities confirmed all personnel have returned safely.

This episode marks a significant chapter in the ongoing Kashmir dispute, a territorial conflict that has sparked multiple wars since the partition in 1947. Both countries continue to claim the region in full while exercising partial administrative control.