US avoids taking position on IIOJK, says it’s monitoring

The United States has reiterated its condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), while choosing not to address whether it has undertaken any mediatory efforts to de-escalate tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

An attack on tourists in IIOJK this week sparked a new crisis between nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours India and Pakistan, with New Delhi blaming Islamabad for the killings — with the Pakistani government strongly denying the allegations.

During a press briefing at the State Department, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: "The United States stands with India [and] strongly condemns all acts of terrorism."

"We pray for the lives of those lost and for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice," the State Department spokesperson said.

To answer a question about President Trump's first term when he offered to make peace between Pakistan and India, Bruce said: " I'm not going to be remarking on it. I will say nothing more on that situation. "

"The president and secretary said some things. They made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner."

To another question about playing role in trying to defuse tension between India and Pakistan, Bruce said: "It's a rapidly changing situation and we are monitoring it, closely. And we, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or Jammu either''.

Suspected militants opened fire in the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist attraction in Kashmir's Pahalgam area, on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people and wounding several others before fleeing into the surrounding pine forests.

Indian officials say Tuesday's attack had "cross-border linkages". Kashmiri police, in notices identified three people "involved" in the violence. However, India has not elaborated on the links or shared proof.

Pakistan said India's accusations were made without any "credible investigation" or "verifiable evidence", saying they are "frivolous" and "devoid of rationality".

In response, both countries have closed the only open land border they share, and suspended special South Asian visas that enabled people to travel between them.

They have declared each other's defence advisors in missions in New Delhi and Islamabad persona non grata, and reduced the strength of their embassies.

India has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty that regulated the sharing of water from the Indus River and its tributaries. Pakistan has warned that any attempt to stop or divert the water will be considered an act of war and met with "full force".

Pakistan has paused all bilateral agreements and suspended all trade with India, including to and from any third country. It has closed its airspace to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines.