Turkey's Erdogan dials Pakistan PM, conveys solidarity amid tensions with India

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to express solidarity following a sharp escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan, triggered by New Delhi’s major military operation codenamed 'Operation Sindoor', during which over 80 terrorists were reportedly killed in an overnight operation."

The call came in the wake of precision strikes by India on Pakistani territory, which targeted terror infrastructures linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, Erdogan commended Pakistan's "calm and restrained" response to the crisis and expressed support for Islamabad's call for an investigation into the Islamist militant attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people on April 22. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident, an accusation Pakistan strongly denies.

Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian aircraft and has pledged to respond further, marking the most serious confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in over two decades.

President Erdogan emphasized Turkey's readiness to help de-escalate tensions and said his government would continue diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict. While condemning India's military action, Turkey has also urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. Ankara maintains friendly relations with both New Delhi and Islamabad.