China urges calm amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding India's aggression against Pakistan. Beijing expressed "concern." China also called on both sides of the conflict to "remain calm and exercise restraint."
What you need to know
- India conducted missile strikes on five locations in Pakistan. Pakistan immediately announced a determined retaliation.
- The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged both countries to maintain calm and prioritize peace.
- As a result of the mutual attacks, the authorities of India and Pakistan reported casualties.
Reaction of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
An unnamed spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to a question about the escalation of 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"
India announced on Wednesday morning, 12:00 AM ET, that it had started a military operation "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 nearly 40 were injured on Pakistani territory. He added that the Pakistani Armed Forces shot down five Indian aircraft, 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.
