In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack that claimed 26 civilian lives in Indian-administered Kashmir, the United States has issued a strong appeal to both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation in the volatile South Asian region. The call for calm follows a sharp rise in cross-border hostilities and diplomatic confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in separate calls on Wednesday, reached out to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to urge restraint and promote dialogue. According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, Rubio emphasized the importance of cooperation in investigating the April 22 attack and encouraged both sides to work toward regional peace and stability.
The attack, which targeted civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, has reignited a cycle of hostility between the rival nations. India accused Pakistan of backing the perpetrators and responded by granting its military “complete operational freedom.” In turn, Islamabad denied any involvement and warned of a potential Indian strike, asserting it had “credible evidence” of imminent aggression.
Over the past week, skirmishes along the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) have become a nightly occurrence. India reported small arms fire exchanges for the seventh consecutive night on Thursday. Civilians on both sides of the LoC have been forced to take extreme precautions, with residents in Pakistani-administered areas digging underground shelters and schools conducting emergency response drills.
“We have been living in constant fear,” said Iftikhar Ahmad Mir, a 44-year-old shopkeeper in Chakothi. “Our children don’t stay outside after school anymore. Everyone is alert.”
Emergency services in Muzaffarabad have begun training young students in first aid and basic survival techniques, underscoring the growing anxiety about a potential military confrontation.
The fallout from the Kashmir attack has also spilled into diplomatic and aviation channels. India issued wanted posters for three suspects—two Pakistanis and one Indian—believed to be linked to the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Authorities have offered a reward of two million rupees ($23,500) for information on each suspect and have detained dozens as part of their ongoing investigation.
In a tit-for-tat move, both countries have restricted airspace access to each other’s aircraft. India shut its skies to Pakistani planes on Wednesday after Islamabad imposed a similar ban on Indian overflights, raising concerns over the economic and logistical implications of such actions.
India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars over Kashmir since their independence in 1947. The disputed Himalayan region remains a deeply sensitive issue for both nations. The last major escalation occurred in 2019, following the Pulwama suicide bombing, which led to Indian airstrikes on Pakistani territory and brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war.
Insurgency and unrest have plagued Indian-administered Kashmir for decades. Separatist groups, some of which India alleges are supported by Pakistan, continue to press for either independence or a merger with Pakistan—a claim Islamabad denies.
The United States’ latest intervention highlights the fragility of peace in South Asia and the potential global ramifications of renewed hostilities between India and Pakistan. Analysts warn that without meaningful engagement and international mediation, the situation could spiral out of control.
While both sides have shown little willingness to back down, Washington’s calls for calm are a reminder of the urgent need for diplomatic channels to remain open. “Peace in South Asia is in everyone’s interest,” said Bruce, “and the United States remains committed to supporting efforts that prevent conflict and promote dialogue.”