New Delhi, April 29 -- As war clouds hover over the subcontinent, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged India and Pakistan to avoid escalation of the situation amid reports of troops exchanging fire across the Line of Control in Kashmir.

"The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the situation between India and Pakistan", his spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a written response to a reporter's query.

"He strongly urges both Governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation", Haq said on Monday.

For the fourth day running on Monday, the Pakistan Army launched unprovoked firing with small arms across the Line of Control (LoC)

in Jammu and Kashmir, and "Indian troops responded swiftly and e...