Meanwhile, China has called for a “quick and fair investigation” into the Pahalgam terror attack and offered support to its close ally Pakistan in protecting its sovereignty and security interests, as tensions with India rise. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
“As an ironclad friend and an all-weather strategic cooperative partner, China fully understands Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests,” the report quoted Wang as saying.
India–Pakistan relations have deteriorated sharply following the violence in Pahalgam. Two Kashmiri operatives, allegedly trained in Pakistan, were behind the attack, leading India to respond by suspending the 1960 Indus Water Treaty and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
A local terrorist from Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, identified as Adil Thokar, also known as Adil Guree, is believed to have played a key role in assisting Pakistani terrorists with planning and executing the April 22 attack that killed 26 people, most of whom were tourists. Intelligence reports suggest that Thokar travelled to Pakistan legally in 2018 through the Attari-Wagah border, according to ToI.Indian and Pakistani forces have engaged in small arms exchanges in recent days along the extensive 778-km Line of Control. India is increasing pressure on Pakistan with strong military displays along both its land and sea borders. The Indian Army is dealing with ceasefire violations along the LoC, while the Navy has been carrying out missile launches in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also conducting round-the-clock long-range fighter operations, according to ToI.
