UN urges India, Pakistan to ease tensions in Kashmir

The United Nations has called on India and Pakistan to relieve tensions in Kashmir through dialogue.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky made the remarks at a press conference in New York on Wednesday.

“UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) is aware that the Pakistani Army and Indian Army are in contact via the hot line and urges both sides to respect the ceasefire and de-escalate tensions through dialogue,” Nesirky said.

Over the past week, two incidents have brought angry protesters from both sides to streets.

India said Pakistani soldiers killed two Indian soldiers in a clash on Tuesday about which Nesirky said, “No official complaint has been received from either the Pakistani Army or Indian Army.”

On Sunday, Pakistan said one of its soldiers was killed by Indians, about which India made an official complaint and the UN observers “will conduct an investigation as soon as possible in accordance with its mandate.”

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region in full but each only has control over a section of the territory.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.