New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to exercise restraint amid rising tensions.
Speaking to the media at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating situation, stating that both countries must show calm and avoid further escalation. "At this moment, India and Pakistan need to demonstrate restraint as tensions have reached a critical level," he said.
In a post on social media platform X, Guterres reiterated his stance, stating, "There is no military solution to this conflict." He expressed sorrow over the deteriorating relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, saying, "It pains me to see their bilateral ties reaching such a dangerous point."
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir. He extended condolences to the victims' families and emphasized that targeting civilians is unacceptable. "The perpetrators must be brought to justice," he added.
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Guterres said, "India and Pakistan are facing heightened tensions. Especially at this critical time, it is essential to avoid any military confrontation that could spiral out of control. Make no mistake—there is no military solution."
Tensions escalated following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, after which India blamed Pakistan and took strict measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Both nations have continued to exchange strong rhetoric, accompanied by military demonstrations. On Monday, Pakistan conducted a training launch of its short-range surface-to-surface missile from the Fatah series, capable of striking targets up to 120 kilometers away. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the purpose of the launch was to ensure operational readiness and verify key technical parameters, including advanced navigation systems.
The Fatah series missile is classified as a tactical nuclear weapon, designed to strike military targets precisely without endangering civilian populations in retaliatory scenarios.
A day earlier, Pakistan also conducted a training launch of the Abdali weapon system, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of up to 450 kilometers.
