n Saturday May 10, United States President Donald Trump announced on his social media account: “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.” This announcement came following a major escalation of tensions, exchange of fire and the first large-scale air war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan.

The next day, President Trump went one step further. He wrote: “It was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died!... I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great nations. Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.”

On May 9, India attacked Pakistan at several places in the Punjab and Azad Kashmir. The attacks killed dozens of civilians including women and children. It was reported that more than 40 Pakistani aircraft – mostly JF-17 Thunders and J10Cs – responded to more than 70 aircraft of India to register what is now being called a classic case study of modern air warfare wherein more than 100 aircraft fought for over an hour. When the dust settled, India had lost five aircraft including three of its French-made Rafael jets, a MIG-29 fighter, an SU-30 fighter and several Israel-made Heron drones.

Pakistan vowed to respond to this blatant violation of its sovereignty. The next night, India attacked three Pakistani airbases. The Pakistan Air Force responded by attacking 26 sites, including an S-400 air-defense system and a BrahMos missile depot. An India Today report said that at least four airbases - Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj - had been destroyed.

Simultaneously, the two countries exchanged a barrage of drones and unarmed aircraft systems (UASs) hitting at several places of strategic importance. The escalation had now reached an unprecedented level. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif convened the National Command Authority meeting in the early hours of May 10. This development unnerved several countries, including the United States. Two days ago, Vice President JD Vance had stated that Pakistan-India conflict was “none of our business.” CNN, The Washington Post, The New York........

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