United Nations, New York – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over India’s recent military actions against Pakistan, warning that a military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations would have catastrophic global consequences. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed Guterres’s urgent appeal for “maximum military restraint” from both sides.
The Secretary-General’s statement comes in the wake of India’s announcement of “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). These strikes were declared as a retaliatory measure for the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
“The Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border are of great concern to the Secretary-General,” Dujarric stated. “A military conflict between India and Pakistan is unaffordable for the world.”
India’s Ministry of Defence, through its official X (formerly Twitter) account, described “Operation Sindoor” as a “precise and restrained response to the barbaric #PahalgamTerrorAttack.” The Indian Army further clarified that the operation targeted “terrorist infrastructure” used for planning and executing attacks against India, while emphasizing that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. The army’s X post concluded with the message “Justice is Served. Jai Hind.”
The Pahalgam terror attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, has significantly escalated tensions in the region. Secretary-General Guterres strongly condemned the attack, reiterating his stance that “targeting civilians is unacceptable – and those responsible must be brought to justice through transparent, credible, and lawful means.”
The UN Security Council convened for closed-door consultations at Pakistan’s request to discuss the escalating situation. The meeting underscored the international community’s growing concern over the potential for a wider conflict.
The Secretary-General’s plea for restraint highlights the precarious nature of the India-Pakistan relationship and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to prevent a devastating conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging both nations to prioritize dialogue and de-escalation.
