UN urges India, Pakistan to de-escalate amid Kashmir tensions

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  • UN urges India, Pakistan to de-escalate amid Kashmir tensions

Tensions continue to rise between India and Pakistan in the wake of last week's deadly attack in Kashmir. The United Nations is now calling for restraint.

Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, leaving 26 people dead.

Indian police are investigating the incident as a terrorist attack, but it is not yet clear who was responsible. The Indian government insists Pakistan was behind it, and says it may conduct a retaliatory attack. Islamabad denies the claim.

Troops from the two countries have since been exchanging fire along the de-facto border. The countries have also taken diplomatic measures and closed their airspace to planes from the other side.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held calls with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday. Guterres urged both sides to de-escalate, saying confrontation would lead to catastrophe for the world.

Ref : NHK World