Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Turkey's readiness to "do everything possible to prevent further escalation of tensions" between India and Pakistan. This happened during a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Anadolu Agency reports, BTA reports.
A statement from the Turkish Presidency's Communications Directorate specified that the two leaders discussed recent events, including the attack by the Indian armed forces on Pakistan and territories in Kashmir on the night of May 6. President Erdogan expressed Turkey's solidarity with Pakistan, offered condolences to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Turkish leader also supported Pakistan's proposal for a neutral, transparent and credible international investigation into the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Turkey for its support and efforts to promote de-escalation and peace in the region, assuring that his country would defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the Pakistani military, at least 31 people were killed and 57 injured in missile strikes and cross-border shelling along the Line of Control in Kashmir. One person was killed by a suspected Indian drone in the southern province of Sindh. Pakistan also said it had shot down five Indian fighter jets and a combat drone in response to the Indian strikes, but New Delhi has not confirmed the incident.
The Indian Foreign Ministry said 13 people were killed in cross-border shelling along the Line of Control and 59 others were injured. An Indian soldier was also killed in the attacks.
Meanwhile, a number of international airlines, including Turkish Airlines, suspended flights to Islamabad and Lahore over security concerns after India struck targets in Pakistan and its controlled part of Kashmir.