India-Pakistan troop withdrawal set for end of May after ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 May 2025 15:45

India and Pakistan begin scaling back troop deployments along the Line of Control, signaling a tentative step toward regional stability under ongoing ceasefire terms.

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Indian army soldiers display military drill along the line of control between India and Pakistan during a media tour somewhere north of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 19, 2025. (AP)

India and Pakistan have agreed to withdraw the military reinforcements deployed during their recent confrontation, with a phased return to pre-conflict positions expected by the end of May, AFP reported, citing a senior Pakistani security official.

The agreement marks a major step toward India-Pakistan troop withdrawal and comes after a four-day escalation that resulted in over 70 fatalities. Both countries will scale back deployments, particularly along the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region of Kashmir.

“Troops will be withdrawn to pre-conflict positions by the end of May,” the Pakistani official confirmed, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. He noted that the two sides had committed to reducing heavy weaponry and additional forces gradually.

The most recent violence was triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on groups allegedly supported by Islamabad, a claim Pakistan has strongly denied. The episode ignited one of the fiercest flare-ups in years between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

After the attack, India launched airstrikes on what it described as “terrorist camps” inside Pakistani territory. Islamabad retaliated with drone strikes and artillery fire, leading to high-intensity clashes along the LoC. Over 70 people were killed in the exchanges.

Ceasefire holds despite delays in drawdown

The escalation was halted by a Trump-brokered ceasefire, which remains intact. The Pakistani official said the original drawdown was scheduled to be completed within 10 days, but “minor issues caused delays.”

Last week, the Indian Army acknowledged in a statement that both nations had agreed to “immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas.” This coordinated step aims to prevent further escalation amid fragile peace efforts.

The region of Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but administered in parts by each, remains the flashpoint of their historic rivalry. Since the partition and independence from British rule in 1947, the two countries have fought multiple wars, most of them centered on Kashmir.

The latest de-escalation reflects cautious optimism but leaves underlying tensions unresolved. Regional analysts warn that without a long-term political settlement, the military standoff could reignite at any moment.