In a significant development following the recent US-mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump expressed his pride in the leadership of both countries, acknowledging their efforts to step back from the brink of further escalation.

The announcement of the ceasefire, which took place after intense diplomatic interventions, has been hailed as a moment of de-escalation in a region that has long been a flashpoint for tension.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump lauded the decision by India and Pakistan to halt hostilities, describing it as a "historic and heroic" step. "I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision," Trump wrote.

The ceasefire followed a series of intense missile exchanges between the two nuclear-armed nations, which had resulted in significant casualties and damage to military infrastructure.

The U.S. president’s remarks, however, went beyond the immediate ceasefire agreement. Trump emphasised that he would work towards increasing trade with both India and Pakistan, promising a substantial boost to economic ties with the two South Asian countries.

"I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations," Trump’s post continued, offering Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen its economic position on the global stage. The U.S. has historically been one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, and any boost in trade could help alleviate some of the economic pressures the country faces.

Alongside trade, Trump also touched on the long-standing Kashmir issue, an area of major contention between India and Pakistan. The U.S. president mentioned that he would work with both governments to find a solution to the dispute, remarking that it could take "a thousand years" to resolve, yet stressing his commitment to finding a long-term solution.

Trump promises to resolve Kashmir issue

"Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a 'thousand years,' a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir," Trump wrote. While the remark may seem to some as rhetorical, it places Kashmir back on the international agenda, something Pakistan has long advocated for. Islamabad has consistently sought a peaceful resolution to the dispute through dialogue, a stance that has been echoed in numerous diplomatic forums.

The ceasefire, announced by Trump after overnight negotiations, marks a rare moment of positive diplomatic engagement between the two neighbors, who have been embroiled in hostilities for decades. In his statement, Trump hailed the decision as a victory for "Common Sense and Great Intelligence," emphasizing the importance of stopping the violence before it escalated further.

Although no official confirmation has yet been issued by the Indian or Pakistani governments regarding the terms of the ceasefire, sources in Washington and Islamabad confirmed that the U.S. played a critical role in facilitating backchannel communications between the two sides. The ceasefire comes after a series of missile strikes between India and Pakistan, with both nations confirming significant losses in military infrastructure.

In retaliation to India's missile strikes, Pakistan had launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus, targeting critical Indian military sites. Sources in Islamabad confirmed that Pakistan had used 'Fatah 2' missiles to strike at Indian airfields and military installations, including key missile storage sites in Beas and several airbases in northern India.

Pakistan launches Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus

Earlier, in retaliation to India's recent barrage of attacks, Pakistan has launched a counterattack on India, named Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus, with missiles.

Security sources say Pakistan is currently conducting a counter-attack against India on hard military targets, as at least three 'Fatah 2' missiles have been fired at Indian targets. Currently, the Pakistan military is targeting multiple targets all across India. As per details, Indian BrahMos missile storage site in Beas has been knocked out in the first instance.

Furthermore, airfields in Udhampur, Adampur, Suratgarh, Sirsa, Bathinda, Akhnoor, Halwara and Pathankot have also been destroyed, as per security sources. They said all the bases from where Pakistan was attacked are being targeted. The most damage so far has been done by the 'Fatah 2' missile.