WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday called on Pakistan to condemn the attack in Pahalgam and cooperate in an investigation while also encouraging India to de-escalate, in telephone calls with both sides.
In the call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio “spoke of the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam,” the tourist hub in Indian-administered Kashmir, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
Rubio “urged Pakistani officials´ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,” she said in a statement.
In a separate phone call with India´s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio voiced solidarity but also encouraged caution as India accuses Pakistan of backing the attack and calls for retaliation.
“The Secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States´ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” Bruce said.
“He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed to Marco Rubio that India’s escalatory and provocative posture will only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing war on the terror groups operating from the Afghan soil.
Shehbaz shared with Rubio Pakistan’s perspective on recent developments in South Asia since the Pahalgam incident, says a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He greeted the latter and conveyed his good wishes for President Donald Trump and expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with the US administration on all areas of mutual interest.
The prime minister categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and pointed to his call for a transparent, credible, and neutral investigation to bring out the facts.
He urged the US administration to impress upon India to dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.
Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s leading role in the war against terror and its sacrifice of over 90,000 lives and over USD152 billion in economic losses.
He said it was most regrettable that India had chosen to weaponise water, which was a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan, while also stressing that the Indus Waters Treaty had no provision for either side to unilaterally renege on its commitments.
The prime minister emphasized that peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.
On bilateral cooperation, the prime minister highlighted that Pakistan and the US had worked together closely over the past 70 years and there was a lot that both sides could cooperate on, including counter-terrorism and enhanced economic cooperation, particularly the minerals sector.
The prime minister also stressed that his government had undertaken major economic reforms over the past one year, and consequently, Pakistan was now on the road to economic recovery.
Secretary Rubio thanked the prime minister for the detailed conversation and emphasized the need for both sides to continue working together for peace and stability in South Asia.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday brushed aside the Indian allegations against Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident without an “iota of evidence and with such dramatic speed”, adding Pakistan had nothing to do with it.
He warned India against any misadventure, stating that while Pakistan will not initiate any escalatory move, it will respond decisively to any provocation.
The minister’s remarks come amidst heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which Dar described as part of India’s politically motivated and provocative actions threatening regional peace and stability.
Addressing a press briefing here alongside Director-General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Dar underscored Pakistan’s grave concerns over India’s destabilising actions and inflammatory statements following the April 22 attack.
He said while Pakistan strongly condemned the targeting of innocent civilians, it was crucial to recognise that the country, having suffered immensely from terrorism, understood the pain of those affected.
“As a victim of terrorism, no one can feel the pain of those impacted better than Pakistan,” Dar said, adding that Pakistan had expressed its condolences and engaged with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure the strongest condemnation of the Pahalgam incident.
Dar further criticised India for attempting to associate Pakistan with the attack without evidence, calling it a “deliberate and baseless” effort to distract the global community from India’s own security failures in IIOJK and its ongoing oppression of Kashmiris.
“India continues to glorify its assassination campaigns and state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan and beyond,” Dar said, highlighting the substantial sacrifices Pakistan has made in the fight against terrorism, including over 80,000 lives lost and economic damages exceeding $150 billion.
Reiterating Pakistan’s position, Dar clarified that while Pakistan will not escalate the situation, any aggressive move by India will be met with a “befitting and decisive response” from Pakistan.
“The international community must consider the broader implications of India’s actions on regional stability,” he added.
The foreign minister also questioned India’s timing, suggesting that the country deliberately raises tensions to deflect attention from its internal issues, particularly the unresolved Kashmir dispute, which remains the root cause of instability in South Asia.
Dar stressed that India’s allegations against Pakistan regarding the Pahalgam attack were part of a long-standing pattern of fabricating terrorism accusations for political gain, aimed at suppressing Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and justifying draconian laws.
He called for a transparent investigation into the incident by independent international observers, as proposed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The foreign minister also voiced alarm over the Islamophobic rhetoric being propagated by India against Kashmiris and Indian Muslims, warning that such divisive narratives would only further destabilize the region.
On India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Dar condemned the move as illegal, pointing out that the treaty could not be amended or terminated without mutual consent, as clearly outlined in its dispute resolution framework.
Dar raised several key questions for the global community to consider in light of recent developments, including India’s inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to blame Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack without evidence.
“Is it not time for the world to hold India accountable for its transnational assassinations, including in Pakistan?” Dar asked.
“And isn’t it crucial to distinguish between legitimate sympathy for victims and an unwitting endorsement of India’s belligerent behaviour?”
“Three, is it not that Indian propaganda is aimed at fabricating a case for military adventure?”
“Four, don’t you think that India’s blatant disregard for international law and whimsical approach towards its obligations would lead to a highly unstable and unpredictable regional order?”
“Five, isn’t it high time for the international community to step in and condemn India and prevent it from targeting people on the basis of Islamophobia and religious hatred?”
“Six, can we deny that the dangerous Indian brinkmanship and efforts aimed at escalation can potentially lead to disastrous consequences in a nuclearised region and beyond?“
“We remain very alert,” Dar said, concluding, “The armed forces are vigilant, and the National Security Committee (NSC) resolve is strong. The nation will thwart any misadventure, responding in a befitting and decisive manner at the time and place of our choosing.”
Speaking on the occasion, General Chaudhry said Pakistan Army had completed all preparations for a retaliatory response, adding that the nation will defend its sovereignty and integrity at all costs.
“The entire nation stands united [against Indian threats] and National Security Committee’s communique has already been issued,” he said.
He said all political parties of the country had expressed determination to give a befitting response to any Indian aggression.
He said the army was fully prepared to respond to any threat on all fronts, adding that India’s strategy may be aimed at keeping Pakistan engaged on the eastern border.
The chief military spokesperson assured the nation that defence institutions were ready to defend the country at all times and warned India against “testing patience”.
“We are not the ones who are going to initiate aggression. We are a very responsible state, and we will always follow a path of reason and constructive engagement. But if they think aggression is the path forward, then our message is only this: we are ready — don’t test us.”
“Whether it’s the army, air force, navy, or any other defence-related institution, all are constantly engaged in preparations. We are present everywhere, at all times. We are ready and prepared to take on all sorts of challenges.”
“If they [India] choose the path of military confrontation, that will be their decision — but where it leads will be ours.”
DG ISPR also reiterated Pakistan’s demand to hold an independent, transparent and impartial inquiry into the Pahalgam incident.
“The international community should take note of India’s state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan,” he added.
Accusing India of being behind terrorist incidents in Pakistan, DG ISPR said Pakistan witnessed 3,700 terrorist attacks since January 2024, wherein 3,896 people died.
He said at least 2,582 officers and personnel were martyred in the terror attacks. As many as 77,816 operations have been carried out since January 2024.
He informed the media that 1,666 terrorists were killed in these operations and 83 of these terrorists were high-value targets.
“Security forces and law enforcement agencies are conducting more than 190 operations daily,” he added.
US chargé d’affaires calls on Dar: In a related development, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker called on Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and exchanged views on recent regional developments, says the Foreign Office in a statement.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding national interests.
Ms Natalie conveyed the US desire for de-escalation and that it will stay engaged with both countries on the evolving situation.
DGMOs talk over hotline: In a related development, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India have agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns, which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.
According to ISPR, the two DGMOs held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.
Both sides agreed to strict observance of all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the LoC and all other sectors, with effect from last midnight.
Both sides reiterated that the existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilized to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.
Muhammad Anis adds: In a strong response to the ceasefire violations, the Pakistan Army destroyed many Indian posts across the Line of Control (LoC) on the night of April 29 and 30 and silenced their guns.
Security sources said the Indian army while committing ceasefire violations resorted to unprovoked firing along LoC in Kiani and Mandal sectors with small arms on the night of April 29 and 30.
The Pakistan Army gave a strong reply, destroying many posts and silenced Indian guns. The army also destroyed Chakpartra Post. A video shot on Wednesday morning, also shows smoke emitting out of the post.
Previously, the Indian forces also evacuated the area along LoC in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) from the civilian population and was also conducting crackdown on their houses.
The sources maintained that Pakistan’s armed forces were always ready to gave a befitting reply to any misadventure from the adversary.
APP add: Meanwhile, upping the ante, Indian fighter jets patrolling above occupied Kashmir were forced to flee after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambled its jets, state media reported on Wednesday, adding to tensions between the two countries.
Security sources said four Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were spotted conducting “patrolling overnight” in occupied Kashmir without crossing the Line of Control.
“PAF jets promptly detected the presence of these Indian warplanes,” Radio Pakistan added.
“As a result of PAF’s diligent action, the Indian Rafale jets panicked and were forced to flee,” PTV News reported. The security sources also reaffirmed that the armed forces were “fully prepared and vigilant to give a befitting response to any aggression from India”.
The development comes after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar earlier in the day said “credible intelligence” reports indicated that India was planning to conduct a military action against Pakistan in the “next 24 to 36 hours”.
In a televised statement issued shortly after 2am, Tarar said, “Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.”
The April 22 attack killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and was one of the deadliest armed attacks in the disputed Himalayan region since 2000.
Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, said it “unequivocally” denied involvement in the attack, after an initial message that claimed responsibility.
Tarar said Pakistan vehemently rejected “Indian self-assumed hubristic role of judge, jury and executioner in the region” and it was completely “reckless”.
On Wednesday, India shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines. The ban will last from April 30 to May 23, the Indian government said in a notice.
The impact of the ban on Pakistan’s airline industry is likely to be smaller than on India’s since only Pakistan International Airlines operates routes to Kuala Lumpur using Indian airspace.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has approved the potential sale of Indo-Pacific maritime domain awareness and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of $131 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
The principal contractor for the sale will be Hawkeye 360, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IP-MDA) is a comprehensive understanding of all maritime activities and factors that can impact security, safety, the economy, and the marine environment within the Indo-Pacific region. It involves gathering and analyzing information about all maritime actors and their intentions, as well as understanding natural phenomena and potential threats. Related equipment includes a range of technologies and systems used to collect and analyze this information, such as radar, satellite imagery, and electronic surveillance systems.