UPDATE: China finds Indian military operation inside Pakistan 'regrettable,' urges restraint

UPDATES WITH JAPAN'S REACTION, CHANGES DECK

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - China said Wednesday that it finds India’s missile strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir "regrettable," urging both sides to show restraint.

"China finds India’s military operation early this morning regrettable. We are concerned about the ongoing situation. India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbors," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation," it added.

- Japan calls for dialogue

Japan urged Islamabad and New Delhi to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through "dialogue."

"In regard to the terrorist act that occurred in Kashmir on April 22, our country firmly condemns such acts of terrorism. Furthermore, we express strong concern that this situation may lead to further retaliatory exchanges and escalate into a full-scale military conflict," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a statement.

"For the peace and stability of South Asia, we strongly urge both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and stabilize the situation through "dialogue," he added.

India said it launched strikes on cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan said the attacks violate its sovereignty and it reserves the right to respond.

The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors comes in the wake of an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.

India had blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied that it had anything to do with the killings.

Both countries took a plethora of measures against each other after the attack, including the suspension of visas and expulsion of diplomats.

*Writing by Aamir Latif​​​​​​​