The United States has called for calm between India and Pakistan following a deadly militant assault in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead, warning of rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone conversations on Wednesday with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging both sides to ensure regional peace and security.

India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the 22 April attack near the scenic town of Pahalgam in Kashmir, a charge Islamabad strongly denies. In response to the attack, New Delhi has barred Pakistani aircraft from its airspace and revoked most visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

Jaishankar said those behind the massacre must be “brought to justice,” while Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s support for India’s fight against terrorism. During his call with Sharif, the top US diplomat condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to cooperate in its investigation.

Tensions escalated further after Pakistan’s information minister warned of potential Indian military action within 36 hours, a claim India has not publicly addressed. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly gave his armed forces the freedom to determine the “timing and nature” of any retaliation.

Cross-border skirmishes have resumed, and both sides have traded restrictions, including visa cancellations, bans on media outlets, and social media blocks targeting celebrities.

The attack, the deadliest on civilians in Kashmir in 20 years, has inflamed public anger in India. Modi has vowed a severe response, pledging to “track and punish” the perpetrators.

Kashmir, claimed by both nations but divided between them, remains a longstanding flashpoint. Armed insurgency and deadly violence have plagued the region for decades, with each incident further straining already fraught ties.

Source: BBC

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