UN Chief urges Pakistan, India to resolve all issues through dialogues

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern on Thursday about a recent escalation of tension at Line of Control and Working Boundary between Pakistan and India, deploring the deaths and displacement of civilians.

"The secretary-general is concerned about the recent escalation of violence along the line of control between India and Pakistan. He deplores the loss of lives and the displacement of civilians on both sides," said United Nations spokeswoman Vannina Maestracci.

The U.N. chief "encourages the governments of India and Pakistan to resolve all differences through dialogue and to engage constructively to find a long-term solution for peace and stability in Kashmir," the spokeswoman told reporters.

Since their partition in 1947, the countries have fought three wars - two over Kashmir. Despite numerous military skirmishes, there has not been a full-blown war since they both tested nuclear weapons in 1998. (Reuters)