White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a surprising story on social media about a waiter from Kashmir whom she met in Doha, Qatar.
According to her, the waiter thanked US President Donald Trump for helping bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
The waiter told Leavitt he hadn’t been able to return home because of the conflict, but had just been informed that he could go back now, thanks to the ceasefire. He believed the credit for this should go to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The waiter even said Trump wasn’t getting enough praise for “literally preventing a nuclear war.”
The ceasefire was announced on May 10 after several days of cross-border attacks involving drones and missiles. While the Trump administration has said it helped mediate the truce, the Indian government insists it was the result of direct talks between Indian and Pakistani military officials, with no foreign involvement.
Leavitt’s post has sparked debate online — some people are questioning how true the story is and whether the US really played a role in the ceasefire. Still, many people have welcomed the news as a step toward peace between the two countries.
The conflict began after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 28 civilians. India said Pakistan-based militants did it and launched retaliatory strikes under “Operation Sindoor,” targeting militant infrastructure across the border.
Government of India said that the strikes killed many militants and damaged singnificant infrastructure belonging to militants. Pakistan also responded, resulting in damage and casualties. On Wednesday, 15 civilians, including women and children, were killed and dozens more injured in relentless cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces. The situation worsened with reports of drone incursions, heavy artillery shelling, and civilian deaths in border areas. Both nations exchanged accusations while social media was flooded with misinformation and unverified claims about military losses.
Accoridng to government of India, the country responded to the military escalation with a multi-pronged strategy that combined strong military retaliation, active misinformation countermeasures, and enhanced civil preparedness.
Under Operation Sindoor, the mission targeted militant infrastructure deep inside Pakistan-administered territory, including suspected launch pads and logistical bases. The Indian Air Force and Army coordinated precision strikes, drone surveillance, and artillery fire along the Line of Control (LoC), especially in Kupwara, Baramulla, Rajouri, and Poonch.
After Pakistan claimed destruction of major Indian military assets like the S-400 system, airbases, and BrahMos facilities, India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Defence held a joint press conference. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh categorically denied the claims and presented timestamped satellite images to show that no such damage had occurred, calling Pakistan’s claims “malicious misinformation.”
To prepare civilians for any escalation, the Ministry of Home Affairs advised states and Union Territories to activate air raid sirens and conduct mock drills on May 7. It also issued a directive to media channels to refrain from using air raid siren sounds in programs, except for awareness campaigns, warning that casual use could desensitise the public during real emergencies.
While the situation was volatile, India maintained diplomatic communication with global partners, including the US Washington eventually brokered a ceasefire after intense overnight negotiations, which both India and Pakistan agreed to implement immediately.
Throughout the crisis, India projected a firm stance, signaling that peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness. Official and political voices, including from the BJP, said that New India “won’t tolerate provocations or terrorism.”
