Pahalgam Terror Attack: US, India, and Pakistan in Focus as Tensions Rise
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, has drawn strong international reactions and triggered new tensions between India and Pakistan.
On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his deepest sympathies over the tragic loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack. In a conversation with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Hegseth assured that the United States stands firmly with India and fully supports India’s right to defend itself. He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to cooperate with India in the global fight against terrorism.
Earlier in the day, the United States called on both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and urged Islamabad to cooperate in the investigation into the deadly Pahalgam attack. The US emphasized its commitment to helping Delhi counter terrorism.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke separately with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Rubio expressed sorrow over the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack and stressed the importance of Pakistan’s cooperation in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, in a major retaliatory step, India on Wednesday closed its airspace to all flights operated by Pakistan Airlines. The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that Indian airspace is now off-limits to aircraft registered in Pakistan, as well as to Pakistani military and commercial aircraft. This move underscores the seriousness of the diplomatic and security crisis.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security meeting to review the situation and assess the next steps.
Across the border, Pakistan denied involvement in the attack and warned of a strong response if provoked. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar even mentioned the possibility of military action by India within 24 to 36 hours, further fueling tensions.
American lawmaker Rich McCormick also condemned the Pahalgam attack and highlighted the tough stance former US President Donald Trump had taken on terrorism.
Additionally, in India, the Allahabad High Court is set to hear a petition on Friday against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband, Robert Vadra, regarding his remarks on the Pahalgam attack.
On the security front, the Border Security Force (BSF) has heightened alertness along the India-Bangladesh border in the Meghalaya sector to prevent any cross-border movements.
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