Germany urges Pakistan, India to show restraint

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Wednesday called on both Pakistan and India to de-escalate tensions after cross-border air raids set the region on edge.

“The federal government makes an urgent appeal for both sides to refrain from steps that could further escalate the conflict,” German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr told a news conference in Berlin, adding that India and Pakistan bear responsibility for regional stability.

She expressed hope that the two nuclear neighbors would use existing dialogue channels to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful solution.

Pakistan and India claimed on Wednesday that they had shot down each other’s fighter jets, in a significant escalation between the two countries over Kashmir.

India claimed on Tuesday its warplanes entered Pakistani airspace and bombed a "militant camp," after over 40 Indian troopers were killed in a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on Feb 14.

The Pakistani civil and military officials have rejected the claims.

On Wednesday, Pakistan said it had shot down two Indian fighter jets that crossed into Pakistani territory.

India confirmed it had “lost” a MiG-21 Bison jet and that one of its pilots was missing.