Foreign Office issues Brits travel warning for parts of Pakistan and India

Brits should not travel to within 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) of the India-Pakistan border, the Foreign Office has warned.

The Government here has responded to escalating violence between the two nations, which last night saw India fire missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory in at least six locations. At least eight people, including one child, have died following the strikes.

As a result, flights in and out of Pakistan have been cancelled. Pakistani authorities announced the closure of airspace regions covering the major cities of Lahore and Karachi, and these won't reopen until 7.20pm UK time at the earliest. Several Indian airlines have also announced the cancellation of flights to Indian-administered Kashmir and to some cities in border states such as Rajasthan and Punjab.

British should refrain from travel to areas within 10km of the border between the two nations. A Foreign Office statement said: "On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control."

The statement, issued last night, added: "On the night of 6 May (UK Time) Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it was closing Pakistan airspace for at least 48 hours. There are reports of flights being diverted. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities."

The warning comes after politicians in the UK urged restraint. Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, warned the "world cannot stand by" as the conflict spirals and the risk of harm to civilians in the region increases.

The 48-year-old politician, who was shadow minister for business, innovation and skills under Ed Miliband's tenure as Labour's leader, tweeted: "Deeply concerning to see military air strikes in Jammu Kashmir tonight by the Indian Government. Restraint by all concerned must be sought and secured."

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney also said he was "deeply" concerned by the escalation in violence. The 61-year-old man, who assumed office last year, said: "I am deeply concerned by the events in Kashmir tonight and urge calm and dialogue to avoid further conflict."

But relations between India and Pakistan - both nuclear-armed states - have declined sharply following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last month. At least 26 tourists were killed at a popular holiday resort in what police believed was a "terror attack".