United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" in light of renewed hostilities following a recent deadly attack in Kashmir.
In a statement issued at midnight on 24 April, Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. The appeal was confirmed in a report by Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news outlet.
Speaking to journalists, Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General was “deeply concerned” by the tit-for-tat measures taken by India and Pakistan in the wake of the attack in Pahalgam.
“The United Nations is closely monitoring the rising tensions between the two neighbouring countries,” he added.
Guterres remarked that the recent retaliatory actions had significantly heightened tensions and stressed the urgent need for calm. “We urge both countries to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation,” he said.
He further emphasised that all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful dialogue and mutual engagement.
According to Al Jazeera, the unrest was sparked on the afternoon of Tuesday (22 April), when gunmen attacked a group of tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals. India blamed Pakistan for the assault and swiftly cancelled visas for Pakistani citizens, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and undertook several additional punitive measures.
In retaliation, on Thursday (24 April), Pakistan announced the cancellation of visas for Indian nationals, the suspension of bilateral trade, and the closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft.
