Beijing (Web Desk): Tensions flared again between India and Pakistan as China on Monday urged both nations to “exercise restraint” after reports confirmed that the two sides had exchanged fire for a fourth consecutive night along the Line of Control (LoC), following a deadly incident in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The April 22 attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals—mostly tourists—has been described as one of the deadliest assaults in the region since 2000. An armed outfit known as Kashmir Resistance, also referred to as
The Resistance Front, initially appeared to take responsibility but later issued a statement firmly denying involvement in the incident.
While India has implied that the attackers may have had support from across the border, it has yet to offer any substantial evidence. Pakistan, meanwhile, has strongly rejected the accusation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for an independent and neutral international investigation into the killings, expressing his government’s willingness to cooperate in uncovering the truth.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun weighed in on the situation, stating that Beijing hopes both sides will show restraint and work toward resolving their differences through consultation and dialogue.
“China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” Jiakun said during a routine media briefing. He added that Beijing welcomed any steps that would reduce tensions in the region.
This diplomatic appeal came after news emerged that Indian and Pakistani troops had reportedly exchanged gunfire yet again across the LoC between April 27 and 28, marking the fourth straight night of cross-border hostilities after years of relative calm.
According to a statement by the Indian army, Pakistani troops initiated “unprovoked small arms fire” during the night, though there were no reports of casualties. Pakistan did not immediately respond or confirm the gunfire incident.
In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, India has launched a series of military drills across various parts of the country.
Though some of these activities are said to be part of routine preparedness protocols, defense officials cited by Reuters suggested that they are also tied to the recent escalation in security concerns.
The political consequences have been swift and severe. On April 23, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a key water-sharing pact facilitated by the World Bank that has survived multiple wars and decades of hostility between the two countries.
The next day, Pakistan reacted by threatening to suspend the Simla Agreement and indicated it might close its airspace to Indian flights. Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) urged India to abandon what it called a “reflexive blame game” and condemned what it described as politically motivated exploitation of the Pahalgam incident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on Thursday, promised that the perpetrators of the attack would be hunted down and punished severely. He pledged to pursue them to the “ends of the earth” and said they would be held accountable “beyond their imagination.” His remarks came amid increasing domestic political pressure, with some Indian leaders calling for decisive military action against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking on Friday, reiterated Islamabad’s readiness to cooperate with any international investigation. However, he cautioned that Pakistan would respond forcefully if India chose to initiate military aggression, warning of an “all-out war.”
The United Nations (UN) also stepped in, calling for both nations to show “maximum restraint” and urging that all issues be resolved peacefully through direct and meaningful engagement. China’s statement added weight to an earlier call by the United States, which on Sunday urged both nations to pursue a “responsible solution.”
A spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington had been in touch with both New Delhi and Islamabad through multiple channels and was closely monitoring the evolving situation.
“The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution,” the spokesperson emphasized.