UPDATE - China pushes for restraint between India, Pakistan

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY OIC; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China on Tuesday called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint after Indian jets launched attacks inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The Press Trust of India quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang saying: “I want to say that India and Pakistan are both important countries in South Asia. A sound relationship and cooperation between the two serves the interests of both countries and peace and stability in South Asia.”

He added: “We hope that both India and Pakistan can exercise restraint and do more to improve their bilateral relations."

Beijing, however, impressed upon New Delhi the need to “carry out its fight against terrorism through international cooperation.”

“As for India's claim about taking action against terrorism, fighting terrorism well is a global practice,” said Lu. “It needs necessary international cooperation. India needs to create favorable conditions internationally for the same.”

The Indian government said its fighter jets "struck Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group's biggest camp" in Pakistan in a pre-dawn attack Tuesday.

The IAF carried out a “non-military pre-emptive strikes” directed at training camps of “terrorist groups who are carrying out violent acts in India,” according to the Indian foreign secretary.

Later Tuesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned "India's violation of the line of control between Pakistan and India."

In a statement, Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the OIC secretary general, condemned "this action against an OIC founding member state."

The OIC "urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid any steps that would endanger peace and security in the region."

The organization urged both countries to work for peaceful solutions through dialogue instead of using force.