- US Secretary of State expresses hope for engagement towards a peaceful resolution
- Urges on both countries to exercise ‘maximum military restraint’
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: National Security Advisor Lt-Gen Muhammad Asim Malik and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held detailed discussions on the tense situation between Pakistan and India in the aftermath of late-night missiles strikes by the latter that killed 31 civilians and injured 57 others.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his hope for engagement towards a peaceful resolution, urging on both countries to exercise “maximum military restraint”.
Earlier in a post on X, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is closely monitoring the escalating situation between India and Pakistan, following India’s targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure across the border. Rubio, who also holds the role of National Security Adviser, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to engaging both sides in pursuit of de-escalation and peace.
“I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely,” Rubio said in a post on X. “I echo President Trump’s comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution.”
President Donald Trump, speaking briefly to reporters during an unrelated White House appearance, commented on the developments as the first official U.S. response to the strikes. “It’s a shame,” Trump said. “They’ve been fighting for a long time. I just hope it ends very quickly.”
It should be noted that India launched missile attacks on six different locations in Pakistan, targeting civilian populations and mosques.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed the attacks, saying that India targeted Kotli, Ahmedpur East, Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Muridke.
“26 civilians were martyred and 46 as Indian missiles hit civilian targets like mosques and seminaries inside Pakistan,” said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG-Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
“India will get befitting reply for its cowardice attack. Their temporary euphoria will be made their permanent pain and anguish, the DG warned.
World reactions pour in after India’s aggression on Pakistan
Meanwhile, reactions from across the world have started pouring in following India’s unprovoked missile strikes targeting civilian areas in Pakistan’s Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan’s subsequent retaliation.
According to Kashmir Media Service, reacting to the Indian aggression, President Donald Trump said, “It’s a shame. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past…. I hope it ends very quickly.” He urged both the countries to exercise restraint and emphasizing the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint from both sides. Spokesperson for the UN chief said, “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable. We are concerned about the ongoing situation. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”
The European Union called for maximum restraint and stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation.
The UAE has asked for India and Pakistan “to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.”
Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said, “… we express strong concern that this situation may lead to further retaliatory exchanges and escalate into a full-scale military conflict. For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through dialogue.”
At least 26 civilians were martyred and 46 others injured in a series of unprovoked and cowardly Indian airstrikes launched under the cover of darkness. Indian forces targeted civilian populations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bagh, as well as in Muridke, Ahmadpur East, Sialkot and Shakargarh in Punjab. The strikes also destroyed two mosques and damaged other infrastructure. Pakistan Air Force responded decisively, shooting down five Indian fighter jets and destroying several enemy positions.
