China, US Urge Restraint as India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate After Deadly Pahalgam Attack
Islamabad/New Delhi – China and the United States have called for de-escalation amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, occupied Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The incident has triggered cross-border shelling, diplomatic retaliations, and a sweeping crackdown in Kashmir, raising fears of renewed conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Attack Details and Conflicting Claims
The assault, one of the deadliest in Kashmir since 2000, targeted a tourist convoy in Pahalgam. While the Kashmir Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility, it later retracted the claim. India accused Pakistan of cross-border involvement without presenting evidence, a charge Islamabad vehemently denied. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded an impartial international probe, stating, “Pakistan is being scapegoated for India’s security failures.”
Military Escalation and Retaliatory Measures
- Line of Control (LoC) Clashes: Four consecutive nights of gunfire erupted along the LoC, breaking a four-year ceasefire. India claimed “unprovoked” Pakistani firing, though Islamabad did not confirm the exchanges.
- Treaty Suspensions: India halted the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a 1960 water-sharing pact, prompting Pakistan to threaten the Simla Agreement and close its airspace to Indian flights.
- War Rhetoric: Indian PM Narendra Modi vowed to pursue attackers “to the ends of the earth,” while Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned of “all-out war” if provoked.
International Appeals for Calm
- China: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged dialogue: “Exercise restraint, meet halfway, and maintain regional stability.”
- United States: A State Department spokesperson encouraged a “responsible resolution,” condemning the attack but avoiding criticism of Pakistan. Analysts note Washington’s shifting focus toward India as a counterbalance to China.
- UN and Mediation Offers: The UN pushed for “maximum restraint,” while Saudi Arabia and Iran offered mediation.
Kashmir Crackdown Sparks Outcry
Indian forces detained nearly 2,000 Kashmiris and demolished nine homes of suspected militants, igniting accusations of “collective punishment.” Local leaders, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, cautioned against alienating civilians: “Punish the guilty, but protect the innocent.” A senior police official described the detentions as part of a “revolving door” investigation.
Geopolitical Implications
- US-India Ties: Analysts like Michael Kugelman (Foreign Policy) warn that perceived U.S. bias toward India could embolden New Delhi, risking escalation.
- Regional Stability: With global powers preoccupied by Ukraine and Gaza, Hussain Haqqani (Hudson Institute) noted, “No one is rushing to mediate this time.”
