China called on India and Pakistan to exercise “restraint” on Monday after reports that the two countries had exchanged gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) for the fourth consecutive night following a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The attack, which occurred on April 22, killed 26 people, primarily tourists, making it one of the most fatal assaults in the region since 2000. The Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front (TRF), initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but later denied it. India has suggested the attackers may have cross-border ties, but Pakistan has strongly rejected any involvement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an impartial investigation into the incident.
“China hopes both sides will exercise restraint, meet halfway, resolve differences through dialogue, and work together to maintain regional peace and stability,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. He also welcomed any efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.
The statement came after India and Pakistan reportedly exchanged gunfire for a fourth consecutive night, following a period of relative calm along the LoC. India claimed that Pakistan Army posts initiated “unprovoked small arms fire” during the night of April 27-28. No casualties were reported, and Pakistan has not confirmed the incident.
Following the attack, India has conducted several military exercises across the country, with some described as routine preparedness drills. The two nuclear-armed nations have since introduced a series of countermeasures.
On April 23, India announced it was suspending the critical Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank that has withstood wars and decades of hostility. The following day, Pakistan responded by threatening to suspend the Simla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian flights. Pakistan’s National Security Committee also urged India to refrain from using the incident for political gains.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed on Thursday to track down the attackers, stating they would be “punished beyond imagination.” This has fueled calls for military action against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed Pakistan’s willingness to cooperate in an international probe but warned of “all-out war” if India launched an attack on Pakistan.
The United Nations has urged both countries to exercise “maximum restraint” and seek peaceful resolutions through constructive engagement.
US Urges Diplomatic Efforts Between India and Pakistan
China’s call for restraint aligned with a statement from the United States on Sunday, which also urged both nations to work towards a “responsible solution” and stated that Washington was in close contact with both India and Pakistan.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and have been in touch with the governments of both countries,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, adding that Washington encouraged all parties to seek a responsible resolution. The U.S. reiterated its strong condemnation of the attack in Pahalgam, expressing support for India.
While the U.S. has shown solidarity with India in the aftermath of the attack, it has not criticized Pakistan. Saudi Arabia and Iran have offered to mediate between the two countries, while U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have expressed confidence that India and Pakistan would resolve the issue.
India’s increasing importance as a U.S. partner, particularly in countering China’s growing influence in Asia, contrasts with Pakistan’s declining role after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, noted that India’s closer relationship with the U.S. could lead to greater U.S. support for India in the event of military retaliation, potentially raising tensions.
Indian Crackdown Intensifies
In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, Indian forces have detained nearly 2,000 people and destroyed nine homes of pro-independence Kashmiris, sparking accusations of “collective punishment.” Indian police have launched a wide-ranging manhunt, questioning suspects and detaining residents for information that could lead to the attackers. Over 1,000 houses and forests have been searched in the ongoing effort.
Some political leaders in Kashmir have called for caution, urging that innocent people should not become collateral damage in the fight against terrorism. “Punish the guilty, but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage,” said Omar Abdullah, the region’s former chief minister. Another former leader appealed to the Indian government to ensure that innocent Kashmiris are not unfairly targeted, as alienation may fuel the terrorists’ divisive agenda.
Federal lawmaker Aga Ruhullah described the ongoing actions in Kashmir as a form of “collective punishment” against the local population.
