International Community Advises Moderation from Pakistan and India Following Pahalgam Incident

HEADLINE: UN Urges India and Pakistan to Exercise Restraint Amid Fiery Tensions Over Pahalgam Attack

SUBHEAD: The nuclear-armed neighbors continue to impose diplomatic sanctions and issue threats, escalating a conflict that's been simmering since the deadly shooting in contested Kashmir.

BYTES:

Pakistan denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and vowed to respond to any Indian action.
India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism following the worst attack on civilians in contested Kashmir for a quarter-century.
The UN called upon both nations to exercise maximum restraint and resolve their issues peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.

DETAILS:

New Delhi and Islamabad are at odds once more, with tensions reaching their tipping point after a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The gunmen responsible for the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 mostly Indian civilians, have been identified by Indian police as members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group[1][2].

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to hunt down the gunmen, declaring, "We will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backer"[2]. Denying any involvement, Pakistan called attempts to link their country to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and warned they would respond to any Indian action firmly[2].

Diplomatic measures have been exchanged between the two nations in a shameless display of tit-for-tat retaliation. New Delhi suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistani nationals[1][4]. Islamabad, in turn, expelled Indian diplomats and military advisors, cancelled visas for Indian nationals, closed the main border crossing from their side, and warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war"[1][5].

India's response has been slow, but fiery. The worst attack in recent years in IIOJK was at Pulwama in 2019, to which India responded with air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later[3]. While it's uncertain whether military action is in the works, Modi's call to reduce the territory of the terrorists to "dust" suggests a potential military response may still be on the table[3].

Experts agree a military response may still be possible, with some speculating that it could come within days while others say weeks[1]. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has challenged India to provide evidence of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the attack[4]. In the meantime, the United Nations has issued a general call for restraint, but no specific mediation efforts or resolutions have been detailed in available reports[3].

The crisis has deep roots, with Kashmir having been divided between India and Pakistan since India's independence in 1947[3]. Cross-border skirmishes have been reported along the Line of Control, raising concerns about a breakdown of the ceasefire and escalating a conflict that threatens not just the regional stability but also the nuclear arms race between these two nations[1][2].

[1] Al Jazeera. (2025). India to hunt down Pahalgam attackers as tensions with Pakistan escalate. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/india-to-hunt-down-pahalgam-attackers-as-tensions-with-pakistan-escalate

[2] BBC News. (2025). India and Pakistan trade diplomatic blows over Kashmir attack. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61046814

[3] Reuters. (2025). India, Pakistan trade accusations as tensions soar over Kashmir attack. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-pakistan-trade-accusations-tensions-soar-over-kashmir-attack-2025-04-22/

[4] Hindustan Times. (2025). India expels 3 Pakistani diplomats, suspends water-sharing treaty in response to Pahalgam attack. [online] Available at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-expels-3-pakistani-diplomats-suspends-water-sharing-treaty-in-response-to-pahalgam-attack-101675371908252.html

[5] Dawn. (2025). Pakistan warns India against using water as weapon, says it considers any diversion an 'act of war'. [online] Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1684312

Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesman, urged both Kashmiri leaders to exhibit restraint in the face of war-and-conflicts over the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing the need to resolve their differences peacefully through politics.
Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Stephane Dujarric appealed for general-news outlets to cover the crisis responsibly, avoiding sensationalism and fostering understanding.
In the realm of crime-and-justice, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has challenged India to provide concrete evidence of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack, calling for a fair and just investigation.
Beyond the conflict in Kashmir, sports diplomacy has been suggested as a means to build understanding and trust between the two nations, a step towards a more stable and peaceful relationship.
As the international community watches the situation unfold, experts have highlighted the potential for the ongoing crisis in Kashmir to impact sports diplomacy between India and Pakistan, potentially delaying or derailing efforts at conflict resolution.