|
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that he is deeply concerned over the significant increase in tensions between India and Pakistan, in particular regarding the cease-fire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).
LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.
Tensions between the two countries escalated because of the ongoing civilian protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir and a deadly attack last week on an Indian army base in frontier Uri town, about 109 km northwest of capital city - Srinagar. The attack killed 18 troopers and wounded over 20 others.
"The Secretary-General urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.
"He calls on the governments of Pakistan and India to address their outstanding issues, including regarding Kashmir, peacefully through diplomacy and dialogue," said the statement.
"His good offices are available, if accepted by both sides," it added.
