Pahalgam terror attack | India-Pakistan must ‘de-escalate’ tensions: US official after talks

Security personnel stand guard in Jammu and Kashmir’s in Srinagar. Pic/PTI

The US has encouraged India and Pakistan to "de-escalate tensions", reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with Delhi against terrorism and urging Islamabad's cooperation in investigating the "unconscionable" Pahalgam terror attack.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. In his call with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the "horrific" terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed.

Rubio reaffirmed the United States' commitment to cooperat with India against terrorism and also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia. In his conversation with PM Sharif, Rubio spoke of the need to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack and urged Pakistani officials' cooperation in investigating "this unconscionable attack."

He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia. Rubio and Sharif "reaffirmed their continued commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence."

India closes airspace for Pak

India has closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Wednesday, confirming the closure of its airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, including military flights, from April 30 to May 23 (estimated duration). Both India and Pakistan have now blocked each other's airlines from using their airspace, as the neighbouring country had already announced this step six days ago.

Attari-Wagah border shut

Following a week-long heavy rush of people from either side to cross over after the Union government issued a ‘Leave India' notice all Pakistani citizens with short-term visas, the Attari-Wagah border crossing point between the two countries was shut completely on Thursday, sources said.

SC junks plea

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to examine a plea seeking a judicial probe into the Pahalgam terror attack. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh castigated the petitioners for seeking a retired judge to monitor probe into the terror attack and said retired judges were not experts.

"In this crucial time, each and every citizen of the country has joined hands to fight terror. Do you want to demoralise the security forces by filing this kind of PIL. Don't bring this kind of issue in the judicial domain," the bench said. Petitioners Fathesh Kumar Saahu and others were consequently asked to withdraw the plea.

Navy flexes muscle near Pak waters

The Indian Navy has intensified its operations in the Arabian Sea, conducting extensive exercises within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to bolster maritime security amid heightened regional tensions.According to defence sources, warships are on high alert, with multiple anti-ship and anti-aircraft firings executed recently to demonstrate combat readiness and deter potential threats in the region.

The Indian Coast Guard has also deployed vessels in forward areas near the international maritime boundary off the Gujarat coast, working in close coordination with the Navy to enhance surveillance. Earlier on Sunday, the Indian Navy warships carried out multiple successful anti-ship missile firings. The exercise was aimed at demonstrating the navy's combat readiness. Navy stated that the firings were done to revalidate and showcase the operational readiness for long-range precision offensive strikes.

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