Key Points
- Attack triggers escalation in tensions between Pakistan and India.
- Trump calls Kashmir a historic issue.
- India suspends a water-sharing treaty.
- Pakistan cancelles visas for Indian nationals, except Sikh pilgrims.
- Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Water Treaty.
- UN calls for maximum restraint from both sides.
ISLAMABAD: In his first public reaction, US President Donald Trump described the Pahalgam incident as horrible but did not take sides.
President Trump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One described Kashmir as a historic issue and did not take sides which indicates he is positioning himself for a future possible role of crisis management or mediation.
He said that tensions between the two countries are not new but they will figure out the issue. “I know the both leaders,” he said.
He added there is great tension between Pakistan and India but there is always has been.
At least 26 people were killed and 17 others injured when gunmen opened fire on visitors in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday.
A day after the incident India suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis.
In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals – with the exception of Sikh pilgrims – and closing the main border crossing from its side.
Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an “act of war.”
Meanwhile, the Senate of Pakistan has unanimously passed a resolution emphatically stating that any misadventure by India will be met with a firm, swift and decisive response.
Foreign Office Spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan addressing a weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Friday said that Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to preserve the sanctity and smooth implementation of the Indus Water Treaty.
In a major development Pakistan’s Foreign Office has established an operations room to monitor the situation and developments in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
UN calls for restraint
Earlier the United Nations (UN) has called upon Pakistan and India to show “maximum restraint” over the incident.
“We very much appeal to both the governments… to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we’ve seen do not deteriorate any further,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said while speaking to journalists.
“Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement”.
