New Delhi: In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth conveyed strong support for India during a call with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. Hegseth expressed condolences over the loss of lives and reiterated the United States’ firm stance against terrorism, stating that the US “supports India’s right to defend itself” and stands in complete solidarity with the country.
Rajnath Singh used the opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism. “Pakistan has a history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations,” he told Hegseth, calling the country a “rogue state” that has long fueled instability in the region. He urged the international community to condemn terrorism in clear terms.
LoC tensions escalate again
Simultaneously, tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) have flared, with Pakistan violating the ceasefire for the seventh consecutive night in sectors including Kupwara, Uri and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. In response, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both countries held a rare post-firing conversation, during which India issued a stern warning to Pakistan.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also discussed the situation with US Senator Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed America’s commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation with India. While Jaishankar pointed to Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Rubio urged India to work towards de-escalating tensions in the region.
PM Modi reviews security response
The Indian government has taken both military and diplomatic steps following the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired two high-level meetings, including a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) session, where sources said he gave “complete operational freedom” to the armed forces to choose the time, target, and method of retaliation. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) later met to consider the Opposition’s demand for a special Parliament session on the issue.
India has also suspended key agreements and imposed restrictions on Pakistan, including halting the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border, cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, and banning Pakistani airlines from its airspace. In retaliation, Pakistan announced it would put the 1972 Simla Agreement in abeyance, further straining diplomatic ties.
