The United Nations has urged India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint” after they ramped up a tit-for-tat diplomatic offensive following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

NEW DELHI -- A deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir has again moved India and Pakistan closer to war as the two rivals downgraded diplomatic and trade ties, closed the main border crossing and revoked visas for each other’s nationals.

Relations between India and Pakistan are cratering following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that has sparked tit-for-tat reprisals and raised fears of another military escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals.