China urges Pakistan, India to ‘exercise restraint’

BEIJING (AFP): China urged Pakistan and India on Tuesday to “exercise restraint” after Pakistan Air Force in a timely response repelled Indian aircraft which violated the Line of Control (LoC).

In a statement following the breach of the LoC by Indian aircraft, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, “We hope that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and adopt actions that will help stabilise the situation in the region and improve mutual relations.”

Earlier today, Indian military aircraft violated the LoC as they intruded from the Muzaffarabad sector but were forced to return owing to the timely response of the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

The incursion into the Pakistani air space follows a series of threats by Indian political and military leadership after the attack on an Indian Army convoy at Pulwama by a local youth, in reaction to the oppression unleashed by the occupational forces.