China Condemns Indian Airstrikes on Pakistan, Urges Peace Amid Rising Tensions

BEIJING – China voiced regret and concern on Wednesday following a series of Indian airstrikes on Pakistan that significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Reacting to the situation, China, which shares borders with both India and Pakistan and maintains close ties with Islamabad, expressed “regret over India’s military action this morning” and said it was “concerned about the current developments.”

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of restraint and diplomacy:
“India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved apart, and they are also China’s neighbours,” the spokesperson stated.

Reaffirming Beijing’s position against extremism, the official added, “China opposes all forms of terrorism.”

Calling for de-escalation, the spokesperson urged both nations to act responsibly:
“We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritise peace and stability, remain calm and restrained and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation.”

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), confirmed that 26 Pakistani civilians were martyred and 46 others injured in a wave of Indian missile strikes carried out across six separate locations in Pakistan.

Among the targeted areas was Kotli, where a missile strike on Masjid-e-Abbas claimed the lives of a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter were also injured in the attack.

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