The United Nations on Thursday called on India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” after an attack in Pahaldam leaving 26 people died.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Secretary -General António Guterres had not had direct contact with any of the government for the last 24 hours, but monitored the situation “very close and with a great deal of concern.”

“We were very clear in our condemnation of the attack, which took place in Pahaldam on the 22nd that killed a large number of civilians,” Dujarric said during a press briefing in New York.

He urged both nuclear armed nations to avoid further escalation and to solve differences peacefully.

“Any questions between Pakistan and India we believe can be and should be solved peacefully through meaningful mutual commitment,” Dujarric said.

The attack in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has strongly raised tensions between the South Asian neighbors who have fought for several wars on the disputed territory.

In the wake of a deadly attack in Pahaldam, killing 26 tourists and wounding 17 others, India announced a sweeping set of measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

In response, the National Security Committee (NSC) in Pakistan warned that any attempt from India to block water flow in Pakistan would be treated as a war of war.

The statement followed a high-level NSC meeting, which also approved the closure of the Wagah boundary transition.

The most important decisions announced by NSC:

• India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty rejected.
• Any diversion of Pakistan’s water to be treated as an act of war.
• The Wagah boundary closed to all Indian land transit with immediate effect.
• Airspace to all Indian owned or driven flights closed.
• 1972 SIMLA Agreement could be suspended.
• SAARC Visa -exempt facility for Indian citizens canceled.
• Indian nationals of Pakistan ordered to leave within 48 hours.
• Indian defense advisers declared persona non grata.
• Indian High Commission staff in Islamabad limited to 30 people.
• All forms of trade in India suspended, including via third countries.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office expressed concern about the loss of life and called India’s subsequent measures “unilateral, unfair, politically motivated, extremely irresponsible and devoid of legal profits.”

The statement said that India’s response violates international norms, the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions and bilateral agreements.

The Committee also rejected India’s notice to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and called it a binding international agreement without clause that allows one -sided suspension.

The meeting, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, attended senior officials, including Vice Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and the top military commanders participated in the session.