UN Urges Restraint as Indo-Pak Tensions Rise

As attacks were reported across the India–Pakistan border, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday encouraged efforts to de-escalate the confrontation, according to his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.

 

"Certainly, we encourage all efforts to de-escalate the situation, and encourage both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint," Haq said.

 

International diplomatic efforts were under way to defuse tensions, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir were in New Delhi on a diplomatic mission.

Haq reiterated: "The world cannot afford another conflict between India and Pakistan, and he (Guterres) has offered his good offices" to help de-escalate the situation.

 

On Thursday, the conflict escalated as Pakistan expanded attacks beyond the Line of Control into other regions of India.

Aerial attacks by Pakistan targeting Jammu as well as several military installations near the western border were successfully foiled by India’s air defence systems on Thursday night.

The attempted strikes, involving drones and missiles, triggered blackouts and air raid sirens across parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and vigilant, as emergency protocols were activated.

India has reportedly undertaken retaliatory action following the attacks.

According to the Integrated Defence Staff, there was no damage to the military installations, including those in Jammu and Udhampur.

Sources said Indian air defences neutralised several drones launched near Jammu airport, with no casualties reported.

— IANS