Perpetrators of terror acts must be brought swiftly to justice: UN chief Antonio Guterres

UN chief Antonio Guterres has said it is essential that re must be accountability under international law and perpetrators of terrorist acts be brought swiftly to justice, as he reiterated his strong condemnation of Pulwama terror strike by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

UN Secretary-General also "urgently" appealed to governments of both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" to ensure situation does t furr deteriorate.

" Secretary-General has been following with great concern situation in South Asia. He reiterates his strong condemnation of terrorist attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 and "subsequent violence", a statement issued Wednesday by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

He said it is essential that re be accountability under international law and perpetrators of terrorist acts be brought swiftly to justice.

It is belief of Secretary-General that all difficult challenges can be resolved peacefully and satisfactorily through meaningful mutual engment, statement ded.

When asked at daily press briefing that Pakistan has asked for Secretary-General himself to get involved in process to encour dialogue between India and Pakistan and if he is going to take on that role, Dujarric said, As a matter of principle Secretary-General believes that all difficult challenges can be resolved through peacefully and satisfactorily through meaningful mutual engment.

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He reiterated that both parties need to request for Secretary-General's good offices, matter where you look at m.

On Tuesday, Dujarric h said that UN chief is "deeply concerned" at increasing tensions between India and Pakistan in wake of Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel, stressing on need for both to exercise maximum restraint.

Looking at situation in general between India and Pakistan, we're deeply concerned at increase in tensions between two countries in wake of February 14 attack, Dujarric h told reporters.

Responding to a question that Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said UN must step in to defuse tensions and wher Secretary General will take that role, Dujarric h said good offices of UN chief are available only if both sides ask for it.

Secretary-General stresses importance for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalation, and his good offices are always available should both sides ask, Dujarric said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet h also strongly condemned attack against Indian security forces in Pulwama and called on authorities to bring those responsible to justice.

alrey sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened over past week as New Delhi blamed Islamab for Pulwama attack. Both countries have called back ir envoys for "consultations." 

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