<p>Srinagar: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir cutting across party lines and ideologies on Saturday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, describing it as a much-needed step towards de-escalating tensions and restoring peace along the borders.</p><p>From National Conference (NC) leaders Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah to opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, voices across the political spectrum expressed cautious optimism, while calling on both countries to pursue sustained dialogue and long-term peace-building measures.</p><p>Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the ceasefire agreement, brokered through a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the two countries, had come “too late for some.”</p><p>“Had this been announced a few days earlier, several lives could have been saved,” he said. “We cannot bring back those who lost their lives. We share our grief with their families.”</p>.Pakistan, India agree to ceasefire with immediate effect: Pak Foreign Minister.<p>His father and party president, Farooq Abdullah, welcomed the truce and advocated for a durable friendship between the two neighbours. However, he stressed that Pakistan bore the responsibility of addressing India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism.</p><p>Mehbooba also welcomed the development, attributing it to the intervention of US President Donald Trump. “US President’s intervention resulting in an immediate ceasefire between India & Pakistan is a welcome step. I hope both countries will work towards an everlasting peace for this region,” she posted on X.</p><p>Mirwaiz also expressed relief at the ceasefire agreement, calling it a “huge relief” for civilians along the Line of Control (LoC).</p><p>'Alhumdulilah. Better sense has prevailed and India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire. It’s a huge relief for all, especially those living on both sides of the LOC where precious lives were lost and shelter and livelihoods destroyed,” he wrote on X.</p><p>Mirwaiz also welcomed reported remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating the possibility of broader India-Pakistan talks. “Talks is the means to peace and stability. Glad that leadership on both sides agreed to this,” he added.</p><p>However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a more aggressive tone with party Ravinder Raina claiming the ceasefire was a result of India’s firm military response.</p><p>“India has answered Pakistan’s insolence in Pahalgam. Pakistan has fallen to its knees and is crawling at the feet of America and PM Modi… The whole world salutes PM Modi… Pakistan is lucky that a ceasefire has been announced. Otherwise, it would have been wiped off the world map and crushed to dust,” Raina said.</p><p>The ceasefire agreement, announced amid growing international pressure and rising casualties on both sides, comes as a turning point in the often-fragile India-Pakistan relationship. </p>
<p>Srinagar: Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir cutting across party lines and ideologies on Saturday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, describing it as a much-needed step towards de-escalating tensions and restoring peace along the borders.</p><p>From National Conference (NC) leaders Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah to opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, voices across the political spectrum expressed cautious optimism, while calling on both countries to pursue sustained dialogue and long-term peace-building measures.</p><p>Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the ceasefire agreement, brokered through a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the two countries, had come “too late for some.”</p><p>“Had this been announced a few days earlier, several lives could have been saved,” he said. “We cannot bring back those who lost their lives. We share our grief with their families.”</p>.Pakistan, India agree to ceasefire with immediate effect: Pak Foreign Minister.<p>His father and party president, Farooq Abdullah, welcomed the truce and advocated for a durable friendship between the two neighbours. However, he stressed that Pakistan bore the responsibility of addressing India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism.</p><p>Mehbooba also welcomed the development, attributing it to the intervention of US President Donald Trump. “US President’s intervention resulting in an immediate ceasefire between India & Pakistan is a welcome step. I hope both countries will work towards an everlasting peace for this region,” she posted on X.</p><p>Mirwaiz also expressed relief at the ceasefire agreement, calling it a “huge relief” for civilians along the Line of Control (LoC).</p><p>'Alhumdulilah. Better sense has prevailed and India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire. It’s a huge relief for all, especially those living on both sides of the LOC where precious lives were lost and shelter and livelihoods destroyed,” he wrote on X.</p><p>Mirwaiz also welcomed reported remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating the possibility of broader India-Pakistan talks. “Talks is the means to peace and stability. Glad that leadership on both sides agreed to this,” he added.</p><p>However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a more aggressive tone with party Ravinder Raina claiming the ceasefire was a result of India’s firm military response.</p><p>“India has answered Pakistan’s insolence in Pahalgam. Pakistan has fallen to its knees and is crawling at the feet of America and PM Modi… The whole world salutes PM Modi… Pakistan is lucky that a ceasefire has been announced. Otherwise, it would have been wiped off the world map and crushed to dust,” Raina said.</p><p>The ceasefire agreement, announced amid growing international pressure and rising casualties on both sides, comes as a turning point in the often-fragile India-Pakistan relationship. </p>