Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar has briefed his Italian counterpart on India’s “blatant act of aggression and violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty through the use of standoff weapons” that he said targeted civilian populations across the international border, Radio Pakistan reports.

He strongly condemned India’s cowardly attacks, which resulted in 31 deaths.

“The deputy PM described India’s actions as a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law, which have jeopardised regional peace and security and brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.

“The Italian FM expressed his deepest sympathies for the loss of lives in Pakistan. He emphasised the urgent need to return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the increasingly tense situation in the region,” the report said.