UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over recent missile attacks by India against Pakistan. “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries,” said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement. The remarks followed India’s strikes on 9 sites in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor on early Wednesday.
“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” he added.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours in the aftermath of an attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir last month that claimed 26 lives including one Nepali citizen.
President Trump appeared surprised by India’s confirmed military operation against Pakistan, telling reporters he just heard about it as he entered the Oval Office for a swearing-in ceremony. Trump says it is a ‘shame’ regarding escalation between India and Pakistan, adds ‘I hope it ends quickly’ while referencing the “many, many decades and centuries” of fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a brief statement confirming the US is monitoring the “swiftly changing situation” between the nuclear-armed neighbors following India’s strikes on Pakistani territory.
A Pakistani military spokesman told broadcaster Geo that Pakistan’s response was under way, without providing details. The spokesman said five places were hit including two mosques.
Pakistan’s military said eight people have been killed and 24 others injured in missile attacks.
The strikes reportedly hit Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar said.
“Pakistan strongly condemns India’s aggression, which is flagrant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, the UN Charter & international law. It has jeopardized regional peace. Pakistan reserves the right to respond as per Article 51 of the UN Charter. We will protect our sovereignty & territorial integrity by all means”, he added.
India blamed Pakistan for the violence in which 26 men were killed and vowed to respond. Pakistan denied that it had anything to do with the killings. After India’s strikes, the Indian army said in a post on X early on Wednesday: “Justice is served.”
India earlier stated: “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.”
In recent days, many countries, including the US, have contacted the leaders of both countries in an attempt to ease tensions.
Md Irshad Ayub is Founding English editor at millat times and Delhi-based freelance journalist.
