Pakistan’s military said at least seven of its soldiers were killed on Tuesday when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, blaming arch rival India for the attack.
Ties between the two nations have reportedly strained since the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that targeted Hindu tourists, killing no fewer than 26 people.
India accused Pakistan of involvement, saying two of the three suspected attackers were Pakistani nationals.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has denied the accusation but says it is fully prepared to defend itself in case of attack, prompting world powers to call for a calming of tension.
According to Pakistan’s military, members of the Baloch Liberation Army, BLA, which it described as an “Indian proxy”;, targeted its vehicle with an improvised explosive device in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan.
The BLA is said to be the strongest of a number of insurgent groups operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region that is home to Beijing’s investment in Gwadar deep water port and other projects.
India’s foreign ministry has not made any comment on the statement at the time of filing this report.
The rivals have announced a slew of measures against each other, from suspending trade and a key water treaty to closing their airspace and reducing embassy staff.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Monday, emphasised the need to avoid a military confrontation that could “easily spin out of control”;. “Now is the time for maximum restraint, and stepping back from the brink,”; he said.
UN Security Council members were briefed on the situation in the region and told of intelligence indicating an “imminent threat”; of action by India, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said, referring to the council’s meeting on Monday in New York.
“They called for dialogue and diplomacy to diffuse tension and avoid military confrontation... and to peacefully resolve issues,”; the ministry said in a statement.
