A teacher along with students takes part in an emergency mock drill as part of the nationwide civil defence mock drill at a school in New Delhi on May 7, 2025, as border tensions surge.
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside the Government Health and Educational complex after Indian strikes in Muridke, about 30 kilometres from Lahore, on May 7, 2025. AFP
The violence was the worst to erupt between the nuclear-armed neighbours and arch-foes in two decades.
Here are key reactions:
'Prioritise peace': China
"We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritise peace and stability, remain calm and restrained and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation," China's foreign ministry said.
'Hope it ends very quickly': Trump
"It's a shame, we just heard about it," said US President Donald Trump.
"I just hope it ends very quickly," he later added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio "is encouraging India and Pakistan to re-open a channel between their leadership to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation," said US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, after Rubio spoke with his counterparts from India and Pakistan.
'Maximum military restraint': UN
"The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries." said the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan," he added.
'Exercise restraint': France
"We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, said in an interview on TF1 television.
'De-escalation': UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on India and Pakistan to engage in "dialogue" after the two exchanged heavy artillery fire across their contested border.
Starmer told parliament that Britain was "engaging urgently" with both Commonwealth countries and "encouraging dialogue" as well as "de-escalation" in the worst violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
"Our message would be that we are a friend, a partner to both countries. We stand ready to support both countries. Both have a huge interest in regional stability, in dialogue, in de-escalation and anything we can do to support that, we are here and willing to do," UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said told BBC radio.
'Prevent further deterioration': Russia
Russia's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned by the escalation of military confrontation", called "on the parties to exercise restraint to prevent further deterioration" and said it hoped tensions could be "resolved through peaceful, diplomatic means."
Kabul warns
Afghanistan's Taliban government warned India and Pakistan on Wednesday that further escalation was not "in the interest of the region" after they exchanged artillery fire along their contested frontier.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on social media platform X that "it urges both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue and diplomacy".
'Deep concern': Iran
Iran voiced "deep concern" Wednesday after India and Pakistan exchanged heavy fire.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei "expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan" and called on both sides to "exercise restraint".
Risk of "all-out war": Turkey
Turkey warned of a risk of "all-out war" between India and Pakistan.
"The attack carried out last night by India runs the risk of an all-out war," said a foreign ministry statement after India's deadly missile strikes.
"We condemn this provocative initiative as well as the attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure."
Escalation must be prevented: Germany
Berlin said that an "escalation must be prevented" amid the most serious military confrontation between India and Pakistan in two decades.
"Responsible action is urgently needed from both countries," said the foreign ministry in a statement on X, adding it was convening a crisis meeting and German officials were in contact with both sides.
Short link: