Far from verbal exchanges between Islamabad and New Delhi, Pakistan and Indian military worked quietly to facilitate tension when they agreed to withdraw troops from the front positions on Tuesday.

The decision was made in a recent contact between the Director -General Military Operations (DGMOS) in the two countries. There was no official word from any of the pages about recent developments.

A senior security source confirmed to the Express Pakinomist that both sides agreed to consolidate the ceasefire.

As part of the understanding, the two sides agreed to withdraw troop reinforcements that were deployed during their recent conflict back to their peacetime at the end of May, a senior Pakistani security employee told AFP on Tuesday.

The official said both countries agreed on a phased in withdrawal of additional troops, and the weapon deployed, mostly along the heavily militarized control line (LOC).

It comes after the Indian army last week said both sides agreed to take “immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from borders and forward -looking areas”.

“All of these steps were originally planned to be completed within 10 days, but minor questions caused delays,” the Pakistani official added.

The source said that both countries were moving carefully and that was why they did not issue regular statements.

The ceasefire, broken by the United States, was agreed on the evening of May 10 when both countries were on the verge of an all-out conflict.

It was for the first time since the two countries became nuclear that they exchanged missiles and drones aimed at each other’s military installations and bases. It all began after India on the night of 6th and 7th of May, missile attacks lunched on what it claimed terror camps, a claim received by Pakistan. Islamabad shared undeniable evidence that the killers in strikes were innocent civilians, and some of them were as small as two years old.

Pakistan, while defending against the Indian strikes, shot down six Indian fighter jets, including highly advanced French -made Rafale. Three days later, Pakistan knocked over two dozen military targets across the border deep inside India to send a clear message that no new normal would be tolerated.

It was at the time the big world capitals were alarmed over the steep increase in escalation, causing the United States to intervene. The Trump administration, which originally showed reluctance, eventually swung to action and managed to mediate a ceasefire.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, the United States said Pakistan and India would start conversations about a wider range of questions in a neutral place. Pakistan welcomed the move, but India did not comment directly and emphasize if there were any conversations that would only focus on terrorism and part of Kashmir under Pakistan’s control.

When asked, a source said, while the military level negotiations made constant progress, there was no indication yet when negotiations at the political level would start.

The sources said despite the provocative statements that came from New Delhi, including from the Indian Defense Minister, claiming Pakistan was at “probation” and “Operation Sindoor” were only paused, Indian military conveyed completely different messages.

The sources said the Indian military was eager to preserve a truce. Pakistan, meanwhile, emphasized officials, was obliged to the ceasefire. The Foreign Office spokesman at the last weekly briefing said Pakistan always preferred diplomacy rather than conflict and would seek peaceful means to solve all excellent problems with India, including the question of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shafqat Ali Khan nevertheless made it clear that Pakistan’s desire for peace must not be confused as its weakness.

Separately, in an interview with a foreign media offering, DG ISPR LT General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warned that Pakistan would give an appropriate answer if India tried any misunderstanding. He also made it clear that Pakistan would never accept Indian hegemony. (With input from AFP)