New Delhi: The US State Department has stated that Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan and has asked them to work towards a “responsible solution” amid escalating tensions between the two Asian nations in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
In an emailed statement, a US state department spokesperson told Reuters: “This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels.”
The spokesperson pointed out: “The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution.” He also stressed that Washington “stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam”. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have also made similar statements.
The attack, the deadliest in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike, targeted tourists and was initially claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). However, TRF later denied any role in the attack.
Unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops
Meanwhile, Pakistan continued to violate the ceasefire for the fourth consecutive day amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Kupwara districts, Army officials said on Monday. A defence spokesperson stated, “During the night of April 27-28, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts.” Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively, he added.
In Kashmir, the houses of three more suspected terrorists were razed by security personnel in South Kashmir, taking the number of such demolished homes to nine since April 22, officials said on Sunday.
