The UN chief, António Guterres, on Tuesday expressed deep concern over Indian military operations across the Line of Control and the international border with Pakistan. In a note to correspondents issued by his spokesperson, Guterres called for military restraint from both countries.
Escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have raised concern among several countries that have called for dialogue.
In the early hours of Wednesday, India fired missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory in several locations, killing at least 26 people, including a child, in what Pakistan’s leader called an act of war.
India targeted nine sites in Pakistan that it claims to be a “terrorist infrastructure” during ‘Operation Sindoor’. Pakistan has refuted the claim and vowed retaliation.
“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” the note from Guterres said.
On Monday, the Secretary-General had warned that the tensions between the two South Asian neighbours had reached “their highest in years.” He offered his good offices to both governments to help defuse tensions and promote diplomacy, stressing that “a military solution is no solution.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, Mr. Guterres condemned the 22 April attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which left at least 26 civilians dead and many more injured.
“Targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means,” he said.
