‘Great concern’ is expressed by the UN chief about the growing tensions between India and Pakistan.

In order to prevent the situation and developments that have occurred since Tuesday’s armed attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir from getting worse, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Pakistan and India to “exercise maximum restraint.”

At Thursday’s usual lunchtime briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, Stephane Dujarric, his spokeswoman, responded to a question by saying, “The Secretary-General is obviously following the situation very closely and with very great concern.”

Media reports state that the gun attack near the tourist destination of Pahalgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir claimed the lives of roughly 26 persons.

The Secretary-General sent condolences to the victims and denounced the attack on Wednesday.

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty was unilaterally suspended, the border crossing between the two nations was closed, diplomats were expelled, and certain Pakistani visa holders were ordered to depart within 48 hours, among other actions taken by India against Pakistan since then.

In retaliation, Pakistan, which adamantly denied any involvement in the incident, expelled some Indian ambassadors, closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, and immediately suspended all visas granted to Indian nationals under an exemption program.

In response to a query, the spokesperson stated that the UN chief has not had any direct communication with the Indian and Pakistani leadership.

Any disputes between India and Pakistan, according to Dujarric, “can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.”

“I think this would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further or increase tensions in a tense area,” Dujarric said when specifically asked about India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.