Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, UN’s Ban urges calm, dialogue

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern today about the escalation of violence along the border dividing India and Pakistan, which has seen both countries exchange gun and mortar fire in recent days.

“The Secretary-General is concerned about the recent escalation of violence along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan,” a UN spokesperson told reporters today at Headquarters in New York.

“He deplores the loss of lives and the displacement of civilians on both sides.”

The hostilities between India and Pakistan began over a week ago and have steadily intensified with media reporting an estimated 20 casualties and thousands displaced by the fighting.

In his statement, Mr. Ban encouraged the Governments of India and Pakistan to resolve all differences through dialogue and “to engage constructively to find a long-term solution for peace and stability in Kashmir.”

The UN has long maintained an institutional presence in the contested area between the two countries. According to the Security Council mandate given in resolution 307 of 1971, the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) observes and reports on ceasefire violations along and across the Line of Control and the working boundary between the South Asian neighbours in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as reports developments that could lead to ceasefire violations.

UNMOGIP currently comprises 40 military observers and a number of civilian staff members.