ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to take immediate steps to defuse tensions along the border after an attack last week which killed 40 soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir.
“We are deeply concerned at the increasing tensions between the two countries,” Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman, said during a media briefing.
According to Dujarric, Guterres said “his good offices are available if accepted by both sides”.
The attack, which took place on February 14, saw a suicide bomber kill more than 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers, leading to conflict and a war of words from both sides of the border.
“It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India,” excerpts from a letter, written by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to Guterres, read.
The letter, which was sent on Tuesday, added: “It is imperative to take steps for de-escalation. The United Nations must step in to defuse tensions. India must be asked to conduct an open and credible investigation on the Pulwama incident.”
Earlier, on Tuesday, Pakistan offered to cooperate with India in the probe pertaining to the attack. In a televised address, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan asked India to share “actionable evidence” regarding the attack, adding that Islamabad will extend every possible cooperation in the investigation.
UN Chief urges Pakistan and India to defuse tension
UN Chief urges Pakistan and India to defuse tension
- We are deeply concerned with the state of affairs, Guterres says
- It is imperative to work toward de-escalation, FM Qureshi writes in a letter
