(Adnkronos) – Italy has expressed “deep concern” over spiralling tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan after its military said at least over 30 civilians died and dozens were wounded in Indian military strikes on Wednesday. The escalation comes after New Delhi accused Islamabad of involvement in attack in Indian Kashmir last month in which 26 people – mostly Hindu tourists – were killed.
“Foreign minister Antonio Tajani has just had telephone conversations with Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and with his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar,” Italy’s foreign ministry stated.
“He (Tajani) expressed deep concern over the serious escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, starting with the barbaric attack in Pahalgam on 22 April and in the aftermath of the Indian raids, which have led to the loss of human lives and material damage.”
Pakistan says 31 people have been killed and 57 injured by air strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and firing along the Line of Control, since Wednesday morning
Meanwhile, India’s army says at least 16 civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling on its side of the de facto border.
Indian-administered Kashmir has seen a decades-long insurgency which has claimed thousands of lives. India and Pakistan both claim the whole of Kashmir.
