UN Sec Gen Antonio Guterres welcomes India, Pakistan ceasefire announcement
United Nations, May 10 (PTI): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, describing it as a “positive step” toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions.
Guterres “hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries”, a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said.
The UN chief “welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions”, it said.
The United Nations stands ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region, the statement added.
The ceasefire came hours after India and Pakistan attacked each other’s military facilities, dangerously escalating the ongoing conflict.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night of talks mediated by Washington”.
“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that over the past 48 hours, Vice President J D Vance and he engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, “including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik”.
“I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,” he said.
“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio said.
“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a social media post.
The announcement came days after India carried out Operation Sindoor striking nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir to avenge the Pahalgam attack. Since the operation, Pakistan targeted various Indian military installations without success.
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Social media influencer arrested for sexual assault of multiple women in Kerala
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): A social media influencer was arrested here on Friday for "sexually assaulting" multiple women after befriending them through Instagram, police said.
The accused has been identified as Yadu Girish (38), a native of Thannyam in Thrissur district.
According to police, Girish was active on Instagram and operated multiple accounts.
The investigation began after a woman lodged a complaint alleging sexual assault by him, officials said.
During the probe, police received complaints from two more women who alleged that Girish sexually assaulted them after befriending them on Instagram and promising to marry them.
After taking him into custody, police found that more women may have been targeted by the accused, and further investigation is underway, they said.
Multiple cases have been registered against Girish under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The cases are being investigated by a team under the Thrissur District Crime Branch Assistant Commissioner of Police, officials added.
