Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): India carried out missile strikes in the Pakistani cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir on Wednesday in which 26 civilians were martyred and 46 others injured.
In response to the attacks, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and destroyed a brigade headquarters.
This escalation has sparked widespread concern across the international community, especially due to the nuclear capabilities of both India and Pakistan.
Leaders around the world have expressed alarm over the situation, with calls for restraint and dialogue to avoid further conflict.
US President Donald Trump described the situation as a “shame” and voiced his hope that the confrontation would end “very quickly.” He pointed out that the two countries had a long history of conflict, which has escalated time and again over the years, and emphasized the need for peace.
In a similar vein, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged with officials from both India and Pakistan, urging both sides to open channels of communication to de-escalate the conflict. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council said that Rubio stressed the importance of both countries engaging in dialogue to prevent any further escalation of violence.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed his grave concern over the Indian military operations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border. His spokesperson called for restraint from both countries, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a military confrontation in a region already fraught with tensions.
Meanwhile, China has expressed regret over India’s actions and urged both nations to exercise restraint, emphasizing the need for peace and stability in the region.
Turkey, showing solidarity with Pakistan, conveyed deep concern about the growing tensions, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaching out to his Pakistani counterpart to offer support. The two ministers agreed to stay in close contact as the situation evolved.
Russia also voiced its concerns, urging both India and Pakistan to refrain from further military actions.
Moscow, maintaining friendly relations with both countries, underscored the importance of dialogue to prevent a full-scale conflict.
The recent flare-up of hostilities is another chapter in the long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan, which has seen three major wars since both nations gained independence in 1947.