WASHINGTON – The United States has urged Pakistan and India to avoid further military action on borders as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbouring countries escalate.
According to a statement released by the US State Department, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo contacted Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, encouraging them to prioritize direct communication and avoid further military activity.
Mike Pompeo has urged India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation at any cost.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/un-chief-renews-mediation-offers-between-pakistan-and-india-for-de-escalation-of-tensions/
In a statement issued by the Pentagon, Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has also said that he had talked about with senior US military officials regarding the ongoing tense situation between Pakistan and India.
“Acting Secretary Shanahan’s focus is on de-escalating tensions and urging both of the nations to avoid further military action,” the statement added.
Earlier, the White House condemned the intensifying conflict and urged Pakistan and India both to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/china-urges-pakistan-india-to-exercise-maximum-restraint-seek-dialogue/
Pakistan’s envoy to the United States, Asad Majeed Khan has also asked the Trump administration to play a more active role in easing the crisis.
Yesterday, Pakistan Air Force jets targeted two Indian warplanes in a dogfight and shot them down along the Line of Control (LoC).
Two Indian pilots were killed as their plane went down into flames inside Budgam area of Indian Occupied Kashmir, while one Wing Commander Abhi Nandan was captured alive by Pakistan troops on the ground in the Azad Kashmir region.
The retaliatory act comes after Pakistan warned India of a “surprise” on Tuesday in the wake of Indian military aircraft’s intrusion into Pakistani airspace.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/pm-imran-khan-chairs-national-command-authority-will-address-nation-on-pakistan-india-situation-soon/
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again invited India for talks and urged better sense should prevail.
“I wanted to take you into confidence regarding the situation arising since yesterday. We offered India that we are ready to cooperate with them in any kind of investigation after the Pulwama attack,” the premier said in his opening statement in his address on Wednesday.
