IANS
April 29-United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation, amid reports of fresh cross-border firing between the two countries, his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday.
“The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the situation between India and Pakistan,” Haq said in a written response to a media query, adding that Guterres “strongly urges both governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further escalation.”
On Monday, for the fourth consecutive day, the Pakistan Army reportedly initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, according to an Indian Defence Ministry spokesperson. The spokesperson said Indian troops “responded swiftly and effectively” to the firing.
Haq noted that the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) “has no presence in the area where the attack took place.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence 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 peaceful resolution of disputes, Haq said the Secretary-General “firmly believes that even the most challenging issues can and must be resolved peacefully through meaningful and constructive dialogue.” Guterres also expressed his willingness to support any initiatives acceptable to both parties to facilitate the resumption of dialogue.
In addition, the Secretary-General extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the April 22 terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, where 26 tourists were killed and several others, including a Nepali national, were injured. Disturbing visuals from the scene showed panic and indiscriminate firing by the attackers.
Guterres emphasized the need for accountability and justice for the victims.
