Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held separate phone conversations with Indian external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday. Guterres unequivocally condemned the attack and emphasized the need for justice and accountability through lawful means. Pakistan, meanwhile, claimed it possesses "credible intelligence" of an imminent Indian military strike within 24-36 hours an allegation India has dismissed as baseless and diversionary.

Sharif urged the UN chief to initiate a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack and called on the UN to mediate on Kashmir, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to peace while warning of robust defense if provoked. Jaishankar assured Guterres of India's resolve to bring perpetrators to justice. Guterres expressed deep concern over rising hostilities and offered his good offices to help de-escalate the volatile situation to prevent further conflict.