Ban calls for direct dialogue between Pakistan and India

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for a "direct dialogue" between India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed South Asians neighbours.

"We're always following the developments in that part of the world very closely, and the Secretary-General will continue to encourage direct dialogue between Pakistan and India as a way to de-escalate any tensions that may exist," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here yesterday when asked about the continued tensions between the two countries.

When asked about the civilian casualties on both sides and the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan being aware of the situation, Dujarric said he had seen the reports and was waiting for some guidance on these latest incidents.

last week, the UN Chief had expressed regret over the calling-off of the planned meeting on August 23-24 between the National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan and had hoped that leaders of the two countries will use "all opportunities" to resume talks at an early date.

Three persons were killed and 17 others were injured when Pakistani Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and Army posts along the International Border in R S Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu district on Friday, drawing retaliation from the BSF.