Islamabad: A recent CNN investigation has revealed that Pakistan’s swift and forceful military retaliation against India this week fundamentally shifted the balance of the crisis, pushing New Delhi into a defensive position and ultimately leading it to request an urgent ceasefire.
The report stated that India initiated the confrontation with a pre-dawn airstrike targeting a Pakistani airbase near Islamabad, which was quickly followed by a massive counteroffensive from Pakistan involving intensive missile and rocket barrages.
CNN’s Nic Robertson, reporting from Islamabad, described the impact of the Pakistani response as overwhelming.
“Pakistan’s counterattack hit with such force and coordination that India appeared stunned, unable to process what had just occurred,” he said during Saturday’s evening broadcast.
Ceasefire Declared After U.S. Mediation
The developments culminated in a breakthrough early Saturday morning when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both nations had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following a night of backchannel negotiations mediated by U.S. officials.
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In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the agreement in a separate statement, saying, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to regional peace, while also affirming the country’s right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ceasefire brings a temporary halt to several days of escalating conflict, which included missile strikes, drone warfare, cyber attacks, and heavy military casualties on both sides.
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Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos had targeted more than two dozen Indian military sites in retaliation, including airfields, artillery positions, and intelligence facilities.
