“Act in interest of peace”: China terms India's strikes 'regrettable'

China has voiced concern and expressed "regret" over India’s recent military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The Chinese foreign ministry called on both India and Pakistan to remain calm, avoid further escalation, and prioritize peace in the region.

India announced the launch of Operation Sindoor, which involved precise strikes on nine identified terror-linked targets allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). These groups have been repeatedly accused of orchestrating attacks on Indian soil. The operation followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead.

In a formal statement, China said it was “concerned” about the latest developments and urged both nations to “exercise restraint.” Beijing emphasized the importance of avoiding actions that could destabilize regional peace, even as it reaffirmed its strategic support for Pakistan.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi had earlier called for a "swift and fair investigation" into the Pahalgam attack. During a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, he reiterated China’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and security interests, describing the two nations as “ironclad friends.”

Meanwhile, Indian investigative agencies have reportedly recovered Chinese-manufactured communication devices from the Pahalgam attack site. While the link to the Chinese government remains unconfirmed, these findings have sparked speculation about the indirect role of Chinese technology in cross-border terrorism.