Washington, DC [US]: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to condemn the “unconscionable” terrorist attack in Pahalgam and urged Pakistan to “de-escalate tensions” with India to maintain peace and security in South Asia.
In his recent conversation with Sharif, Rubio also encouraged Pakistan to collaborate with ongoing investigations and to reestablish direct communications with India. This was confirmed by a statement from US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence,” Bruce said.
This call comes as tensions rise between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and injured many others. The attack has led to increased ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, Indian security forces have ramped up anti-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley. Both India and Pakistan have blocked each other’s airlines from using their airspace, exacerbating the already strained relations.
India has also taken several measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari. The government has curtailed the strength of High Commissions and provided the armed forces full operational freedom to respond to the attack.
Indian forces have responded decisively to ceasefire violations, including the unprovoked small arms firing from the Pakistan Army along the LoC. Notably, the Indian Army swiftly retaliated to ceasefire violations on the nights of April 26-27 and April 27-28 in the Kupwara, Poonch, Tutmari Gali, and Rampur sectors.
Earlier, in the wake of the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made it clear that India would identify and punish the terrorists and their sponsors.
“I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to make sure that justice is done. The entire nation is one in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us,” Modi said.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convened a meeting a day after the attack to assess the situation. During the briefing, it was highlighted that the attack was likely linked to cross-border elements and came at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was making significant progress with elections and economic development.