'Potential for war is real': UK politicians urge restraint after India fires missiles across Pakistan border
UK politicians have urged restraint after India fired missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory in at least three locations.
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The strikes on Pakistani-controlled territory has resulted in several deaths, including the death of children, according to Pakistani security officials.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Labour MP Stella Creasy said they were “deeply” concerned by the escalation in violence while former Tory minister Lord Ahmad warned the “potential for war tonight is real”.
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
Tensions have mounted between the nuclear-armed neighbours over last month’s militant attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
India blamed Pakistan for backing the attack, which Islamabad has denied.
Mr Swinney said on Tuesday evening: “I am deeply concerned by the events in Kashmir tonight and urge calm and dialogue to avoid further conflict.”
Ms Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, warned the “world cannot stand by” as the conflict spirals and the risk of harm to civilians in the region increases.
“Deeply concerning to see military air strikes in Jammu Kashmir tonight by the Indian Government,” she said.
“Restraint by all concerned must be sought and secured.”
Lord Ahmad, who served as South Asia minister under the previous Conservative administration, said the missile strikes were an “alarming escalation”.
“The potential of a war tonight is real – we need urgent international engagement to prevent a widening of this conflict which carries serious implications not just for the region but for the wider world,” he said.
I condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam — but no conclusive evidence has been presented linking Pakistan.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) May 6, 2025
India’s unprovoked strike on Pakistan is a violation of international law.
With both being nuclear powers, this is reckless & a grave threat to regional peace.
MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana, who sits as an Independent following her suspension from Labour after she voted to back scrapping the two-child benefit cap, accused New Delhi of violating international law.
She said in a post on social media: “I condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam — but no conclusive evidence has been presented linking Pakistan.
“India’s unprovoked strike on Pakistan is a violation of international law. With both being nuclear powers, this is reckless & a grave threat to regional peace.”
The missiles early on Wednesday struck locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country’s eastern Punjab province, according to officials.
A mosque was hit in the city of Bahawalpur, where a child was killed and a woman and a man were injured, an official said.
Officials said Pakistan had launched retaliatory strikes without providing any details.
India’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that at least nine sites were targeted “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned”.
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.
“We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
The Indian army wrote on X: “Justice is served.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the “deceitful enemy has carried out cowardly attacks at five locations in Pakistan” and that his country would retaliate.
“Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given,” he said.
He added that his country and its forces “know very well how to deal with the enemy. We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives”.
Waqar Noor, the interior minister in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, said at least one child was killed in the Indian attack and that several missiles landed at two locations, with the civilian population targeted.
The Foreign Office has warned Britons against travelling to parts of India and Pakistan after India fired missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory.
