UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India to exercise “maximum restraint” and step back from the brink of war, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), last month.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists, prompting an exchange of threats and heightened diplomatic friction. In response to the growing crisis, Pakistan’s military announced it had conducted a second missile test since the standoff began.
“Tensions have reached a boiling point,” Guterres told reporters in New York, warning that relations are at their “most dangerous in years.” He condemned the Pahalgam attack and urged that those responsible be held accountable through “credible and lawful means.”
The secretary-general stressed the urgent need to avoid a military confrontation, saying, “Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.”
India and Pakistan, long-time adversaries since their partition in 1947, have fought several wars and remain deeply mistrustful of each other. The latest escalation has drawn global concern, with international actors urging both sides to de-escalate the situation.
No group has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam incident, and Pakistan has denied involvement, calling for an impartial investigation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted his military “full operational freedom” to respond, while Pakistan has vowed to retaliate against any act of aggression.
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