Pahalgam terror attack: UN chief urges India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Pic/PTI

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is closely monitoring the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. His spokesperson expressed deep concern over the situation and urged both governments to exercise the utmost restraint to prevent further deterioration of relations.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General, reiterated the UN's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. As per PTI, at a daily press briefing on Thursday, Dujarric stated, "We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed a large number of civilians."

In response to questions about whether Secretary-General Guterres had engaged directly with India or Pakistan, Dujarric confirmed that there had been no direct communication. However, he assured that Guterres is following the situation closely and with "great concern." The UN chief has urged both India and Pakistan to "exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate any further," PTI reports

Dujarric emphasised that the UN firmly believes any issues between the two nations must be resolved peacefully through dialogue and mutual engagement. "Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe can be and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement," he added.

The deadly attack in Pahalgam, which targeted tourists, is the deadliest in Kashmir since the Pulwama bombing in 2019. On Wednesday, India took significant steps in response to the attack, including downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan. In addition, India expelled Pakistani military attaches, suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, and closed the Attari land-transit post, citing cross-border links to the attack.

On the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, Dujarric remarked, "I think this would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further or increase tensions in a tense area."

Earlier this week, Guterres had also condemned the attack, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. "Attacks against civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances," Dujarric reaffirmed on Thursday.

At a separate event hosted by India's Permanent Mission to the UN, Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died in the attack. He called the targeting of civilians "unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances."

(With inputs from PTI)