China has welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and expressed its willingness to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, according Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

India accused Pakistan of backing the militants who carried out the massacre, a charge Islamabad denied. After Wednesday's strikes in Pakistan, both sides exchanged heavy fires along their de facto border in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Dozens of civilians were killed on both sides in heavy shelling, the two countries said.

When asked to comment on media reports that India and Pakistan had reached a consensus on Saturday to immediately cease fire and hold further talks, and that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had spoken separately by phone on Monday night with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian National Security Adviser Shri Ajit Doval,