Pahalgam terrorist attack: US urges India, Pakistan to avoid escalation as PM Modi grants military “complete freedom of combat”
Tensions have continued to rise between India and Pakistan following last week's deadly terrorist attack on Jamu and 26 people killed by Pahalgam in Kashmir, and the United States has called on both countries to exercise restraints and avoid any escalation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to talk to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to personally convey Washington's concerns.
“We are in contact with both sides and of course, they don't escalate the situation,” State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce said in a press conference. “The secretary hopes to talk to the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow.”
She added that Rubio urged other world leaders and foreign ministers to contact the two South Asian neighbors as well as contact with the same restraint message. Bruce also mentioned that although she did not provide more details, the United States has interacted with two countries outside the foreign minister.
PM Modi gives armed forces free hands
The U.S. appeal came just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting with Defense Secretary Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs. During the meeting, Modi granted the armed forces “totally freely to determine our response patterns, goals and timing”, official sources said.
Modi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, during which he announced: “India is determined to bring the perpetrators and supporters of this cowardly and outrageous terrorist attack to justice.” This is considered an allegation of Pakistan’s role in supporting the attackers.
Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, director of the US National Intelligence Corporation, expressed U.S. support for India's counter-terrorism response. In an article on X, she expressed support for India's efforts to “hunt” attackers.
Pakistan alerts 'imminent' India operation
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed on Wednesday that Islamabad had “reliable intelligence”, suggesting that India is planning military action over the next 24 to 36 hours. He warned that if India continues to be offensive in the light of “unfounded and fabricated allegations”, he would have serious consequences.
Tarar reiterated that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and condemned it in various forms. He said Islamabad conducted a “credible, transparent and independent” investigation through the International Committee of Experts, but accused New Delhi of refusing to speak out in support of the confrontation.
“Any military adventure in India will be positive and decisively responded,” Talar said, adding: “The responsibility for any escalation spiral and its consequences will be entirely in India.”
India strengthens diplomatic offensive
In a series of retaliation measures, India expelled Pakistan’s military lawsuits, suspended the 1960 Indian Water Treaty, revoked all visas signed to Pakistani nationals since April 27, and ordered the immediate closure of Atari land transit.
These steps form part of a broader diplomatic campaign to isolate Pakistan on the global stage, with New Delhi accusing Islamabad of complicity in cross-border terrorism and attacks on Indian soil.
