Pakistan in plea to UN as Kashmir crisis grows with India

PAKISTAN HAS recalled its ambassador from India and appealed for UN help to de-escalate tensions with New Delhi after an attack in India’s sector of Kashmir that killed at least 40 Indian troops.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours soared following the attack in which a militant rammed an explosiveladen van into a paramilitary bus last week.

It was the worst attack against Indian government forces in Kashmir’s history.

On Monday, four Indian soldiers, three suspected militants, a police official and a civilian were killed as Indian soldiers searched for militants.

India blamed the attack on Pakistan and promised a “jawbreaking response”, while Pakistan warned India against linking it to the attack without an investigation.

According to a statement, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres alleging that “for domestic political reasons, India has deliberately ratcheted up its hostile rhetoric against Pakistan and created a tense environment”.

Also, Pakistani ambassador Suhail Mahmood was asked on Monday to return home from India, after New Delhi recalled its own envoy from Islamabad.

“It is with a sense of urgency that I draw your attention to the deteriorating security situation in our region resulting from the threat of use of force against Pakistan by India,” Mr Qureshi said.

There were expectations that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who concluded a two-day visit to Pakistan on Monday and travelled on to India, could encourage the neighbours to try to resolve their issues through talks. India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.