n response to the escalating conflict between South Asian neighbors India and Pakistan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on both nations to exercise restraint. In a statement issued on Wednesday (7 May), the ministry urged both countries to avoid any actions that could further complicate the already volatile situation, according to Chinese state media outlet CMG.
The appeal comes after India launched military strikes on several targets inside Pakistan late Tuesday night, to which Pakistan issued a strong response. China expressed regret over India’s military actions and voiced concern over the developing situation.
The statement emphasized that “India and Pakistan have been, are, and will remain neighbors to each other,” and added that both are also China’s neighbors. Stressing China’s opposition to all forms of terrorism, the ministry reiterated that both countries must remain calm and restrained in the greater interest of regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the Indian missile attacks in the early hours of Wednesday killed at least 26 civilians across six regions in Pakistan. At least 46 others were injured, and two people remain missing.
In a video statement, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that India carried out 24 missile strikes on six civilian locations. He added that four mosques were completely destroyed, along with several houses and a hospital that sustained serious damage.