Arab News Japan

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa on Wednesday strongly urged India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through dialogue.”

He said Japan expresses strong concern that this situation may lead to further “retaliatory exchanges” and “escalate into a full-scale military conflict.”

India launched missile attacks at six locations in Pakistan on Wednesday, killing eight civilians and injuring 33. 

India’s offensive occurred amid heightened tensions in the aftermath of an attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. Islamist assailants killed 26 men in the April 22 attack, the worst such violence targeted at civilians in India in nearly two decades.

Hayashi added: “In regard to the terrorist act that occurred in Kashmir on April 22, our country firmly condemns such acts of terrorism.” 

*With Reuters