Daijiworld Media Network- United Nations
United Nations, Apr 29: Amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further deterioration of the situation.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Guterres's Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq conveyed the UN chief’s deep concern regarding the recent exchanges of fire between the two South Asian neighbours. "The Secretary-General strongly urges both Governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation," Haq said in a written response to media queries.
According to India’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, for the fourth consecutive day, Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, to which Indian forces responded "swiftly and effectively." However, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) reportedly has "no presence in the area where the attack happened," Haq added.
Meanwhile, raising alarm across the region, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of an “immediate threat” of confrontation during an interview with a local television channel.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to peace, Haq said, "The Secretary-General stands ready to support any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, that promote the resumption of meaningful and constructive dialogue."
Adding to the grim atmosphere, Guterres expressed solidarity with the families of victims of the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir's scenic Baisaran Valley. In a tragic incident that shocked the nation, heavily armed militants opened indiscriminate fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 and injuring several others, including a Nepali citizen. Distressing visuals from the site, capturing the chaos and brutality of the assault, have since gone viral.
“The Secretary-General underscores the importance of accountability and justice in the wake of this heinous attack," Haq said, reiterating the need for peace to prevail in the troubled region.