Kathmandu. The United Nations has urged India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint” after the nuclear-armed rivals imposed diplomatic measures against each other over a deadly shooting in Kashmir.
Ties between the two countries have sunk to their lowest point in years after India accused Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” following the worst attack on civilians in a quarter of a century in disputed Muslim-majority Kashmir.
“We appeal to both governments… to exercise maximum restraint and ensure that the situation and developments we are witnessing do not further deteriorate,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday, adding that “any issue between Pakistan and India can and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.” We believe.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to catch the gunmen who killed 26 civilians in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam after Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistanis. “I tell the whole world that India will identify, track down and punish every terrorist and their supporters. We will hunt them down to the ends of the earth,” he said. Denying any involvement, Islamabad has called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack “frivolous” and vowed to respond to any Indian action. “Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all areas,” a Pakistani statement said after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee meeting with top military chiefs.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence in 1947. Both claim the high-altitude region in full but rule separate parts of it. Rebel groups have been waging an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or merger with Pakistan.
Both the Indian Air Force and Navy conducted military exercises on Thursday. Indian police said the three gunmen were members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group. Lashkar-e-Taiba is a terrorist organization designated by the United Nations. They have announced a reward of 2 million rupees ($23,500) for information leading to the arrest of each of their members.
A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of land border crossings with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic relations and revoked visas for Pakistanis. In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, the cancellation of visas for Indian citizens except for Sikh pilgrims, and the closure of key border crossings on its side.
Pakistan has also warned that any attempt by India to stop water supplies from the Indus River would be an “act of war.” – Making Dust – Pahalgam is a dramatic change from recent Kashmiri insurgent attacks that typically target Indian security forces. Experts say a military response may still be in the offing. Some have predicted it could come within days, while others say it could take weeks. The Indian Air Force carried out strikes inside Pakistan in 2019 after a suicide attack in Kashmir killed 41 Indian soldiers. It brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war.
“It is time to reduce whatever little land these terrorists have to dust,” Modi said on Thursday after observing a two-minute silence in memory of the dead. All but one Nepali were Indians in the Pahalgam attack. India has taken its time responding to past attacks. The worst attack in recent years was in Pulwama in February 2019.
In that attack, 40 people were killed and at least 35 others injured when militants rammed an explosives-laden car into a police convoy. Indian fighter jets carried out airstrikes in Pakistani territory 12 days later. Tuesday’s attack came as tourists were enjoying the peaceful mountain scenery at the popular Pahalgam site when gunmen emerged from the jungle and opened fire with automatic weapons on the crowd.
Survivors told Indian media that the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could make a declaration of Islamic faith. Indian security forces have detained a large number of people and launched a massive manhunt for the attackers. The attack has angered Hindu nationalist groups, and Kashmiri students at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation.
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