Pakistan will respond to Indian 'provocations', warns its UN envoy

Islamabad, Sep 30: Pakistan's UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi on Friday said that Islamabad was exercising restraint and warned that if New Delhi continues its "provocations", then the country was ready to respond with all the capabilities in its command.

On Thursday, Lodhi met with New Zealand's UN Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, who is current president of the 15-member UN Security Council, and urged him to informally brief the world body on the escalating tension along the border.

She is scheduled to meet UN Security General Ban Ki-moon later on Friday to discuss the situation, Geo News reported.

Talking to the media after Thursday's meeting, Lodhi said she brought to Bohemen's attention the dangerous situation that was building up in "our region as a result of Indian provocation".

She said, "our call to the international community is to avert a crisis before there is one."

Lodhi said Pakistan was "showing maximum restraint but there were limits to our restraint if India continues with provocations."

India on Thursday said it had carried out "surgical strikes" on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistani territory. Pakistan has denied the claim, saying it was only LoC firing that killed two of its soldiers.

Lodhi added that India acted irresponsibly and the international community should urge restraint on the country.