Pakistan, India agree to pull back troops to peacetime positions by 30th, say officials

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have reached a mutual understanding to reposition their armed forces back to peacetime deployments along the Line of Control and international border by May 30, according to senior officials familiar with the development.

Military leadership from both countries, particularly the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), are actively coordinating the phased pullback, sources told The News on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The move is seen as a critical next step following the ceasefire that has largely held since hostilities escalated earlier this month. Officials described the de-escalation as a “continuation of confidence-building measures”, marking a potential thaw after weeks of heightened military alert.

“The return to normal military positions is part of the second phase of the ceasefire framework”, a senior government source said, adding that the decision was facilitated by diplomatic efforts from the US and other concerned nations.

The escalation began after what Pakistan has said were acts of aggression by India, prompting both armies to move forward from their usual positions and assume combat-ready postures along the border. The current plan to revert to peacetime deployments signals a tentative return to regional stability.

Neither the Pakistani nor Indian governments have officially commented on the troop movements, but the coordination between the DGMOs indicates a rare instance of direct military engagement to reduce tensions.