Malaysian Foreign Office tells citizens to leave contentious India and Pakistan regions

via AFP
via AFP

While the world waits with bated breath over the current rising action in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan, Malaysia’s foreign offices have issued warnings for all of the country’s citizens to leave the region with immediate effect.

Taking to their Facebook page, the Malaysian High Commission in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad has said that the security situation in the border area between the two countries is tense. Several incidents, including the downing of air force jets from each country, has meant that it is no longer safe to be in the region.

“Malaysians in Pakistan are required to always be on standby for any eventualities, including ensuring all identification and travel documents are ready,” reads one point.

A separate press release from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states:

“As a country with close and abiding relations with both countries, we encourage them to exercise maximum restraint, and to re-engage in dialogue and negotiations. Like many other countries, Malaysia aims at the creation of a peaceful and stable international order.”

Late last night, Thai Airways announced that all European bound flights were cancelled as a precaution, due to heightened tensions in the region.

Contentions between New Delhi and Islamabad are not to be taken lightly: Both powers have access to nuclear weapons, and tempers have been escalating since a terrorist attack in Pulwana, India, on February 14 killed over 40 people and injured dozens more.

According to reports, Pakistani-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack.

In retaliation, India then launched their own air strikes in the Balakot region of Pakistan, killing a large number of militants. Islamabad has since denied this.

Responding to this, Pakistan then retaliated with their own air raid, pushing India to send more aircraft into their neighbor’s airspace, culminating in two jets reportedly being shot down yesterday. One pilot has since been captured and parading on Pakistani national television.

Let’s hope cooler heads prevail.

 

 

 

 



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