Kabul to Delhi, Islamabad: Exercise restraint

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has voiced concern over escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, urging the two sides to exercise restraint and resolve their issues through talks.
“IEA reaffirms its belief that security and stability serve the collective interests of all countries in the region. It urges both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The ministry’s call comes in a statement after India struck several Pakistani cities in the wake of an armed attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.

At least 26 tourists had been killed and 17 others wounded in the attack, which India has blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad, however, has vehemently denied the claim as baseless.

In retaliation, India launched missile barrage into several Pakistani cities on Wednesday, killing 31 civilians and wounding 57 others.

India’s Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted at least nine sites “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned”.

It added: “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted.”

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the strikes were conducted in self-defence and in response to the Pahalgam attack.

The airstrikes reportedly disrupted flight schedules in several Indian cities due to airspace restrictions.

In response, Pakistan has summoned India’s chargé d’affaires and warned of retaliatory measures

According to the Pakistani military, the Indian aircraft targeted the cities of Bahawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad.

Bahawalpur lies in Punjab province, while Kotli and Muzaffarabad are located in the Pakistan-administered zone of Kashmir.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif claimed the Pakistani military had shot down six Indian aircraft.

Reuters, citing video evidence, reported three Indian fighter jets crashed in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, Jaish-i-Mohammed leader Maulana Masood Azhar said an Indian strike on the Subhanallah Mosque in Bahawalpur killed 10 members of his family, including women and children, along with four close allies.

He condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying: “This act of brutality has broken all rules. No one should expect mercy now.”

The United Nations and China have urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint, while the United States has called for a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis.

kk/mud