China urges calm as India-Pakistan tensions escalate
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding India's aggression against Pakistan, expressing "concern." China also called on both sides of the conflict to "remain calm and exercise restraint."
What do you need to know?
- India conducted missile strikes on five locations in Pakistan, prompting Pakistan to announce a determined retaliation.
- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged both countries to stay calm and prioritize peace.
- The authorities of India and Pakistan reported casualties resulting from the mutual attacks.
Reaction of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
An unnamed spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to a question about the escalating tensions and the Indian operation, emphasized that China "opposes all forms of terrorism."
"India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors. They’re both China’s neighbors as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. 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," he added.
Operation "Sindoor"
On Wednesday morning local time, which corresponds to Eastern Time, India announced the start of a military operation named "Sindoor" against Pakistan, targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It emphasized that no military targets were attacked.
According to the spokesperson for the Pakistani Armed Forces, Gen. Ahmed Sharif, eight people were killed and almost 40 were injured on Pakistani territory. He added that the Pakistani Armed Forces shot down five Indian machines, including three Rafale aircraft and one each of Su-30 and MiG-29.
The Indian army reported that three civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed due to shelling by Pakistani troops from across the border.
