China urges Pakistan, India to de-escalate tensions after Pahalgam attack

On Monday, China called on both India and Pakistan to "exercise restraint" after the two nations reportedly exchanged fire at the Line of Control (LoC) for the fourth consecutive night, following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, located in the disputed Kashmir region.

The attack, which occurred on April 22, claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the region since the year 2000. The group Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, initially claimed responsibility but later unequivocally denied involvement after a message had been circulated.

India has suggested that cross-border links may have been involved in the attack, although it has not provided concrete evidence. In contrast, Pakistan has strongly denied any involvement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent investigation into the incident to determine the truth.

Addressing the escalating tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged both nations to de-escalate, stressing the importance of dialogue. "China hopes that the two sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," he said during a regular press briefing. Guo further emphasized China's support for measures aimed at cooling the situation.

Reports indicate that since the Pahalgam attack, India and Pakistan have engaged in several exchanges of gunfire along the LoC, a traditionally volatile border. The latest incident occurred on the night of April 27-28, when the Indian Army claimed that Pakistan initiated "unprovoked small arms fire" across the LoC. No casualties have been reported, and Pakistan has not confirmed the exchange.

India has also increased its military preparedness, conducting multiple defense exercises across the country, some of which are routine drills, according to a defense official.

In the wake of the attack, relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have further soured. On April 23, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a critical water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank, which has held steady through numerous conflicts between the two countries. The next day, Pakistan retaliated by threatening to put the 1972 Simla Agreement in abeyance and closing its airspace to Indian flights.

In response to India’s actions, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) condemned what it called India's "reflexive blame game" and accused India of exploiting incidents like the Pahalgam attack for political gains.

The ongoing hostilities highlight the fragile and often contentious nature of relations between the two countries, which have fought multiple wars since their independence in 1947. Both nations possess nuclear weapons, adding to the global concern over the potential for further escalation in the region.