US hopes Indian response won’t lead to broader regional conflict

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: US Vice President JD Vance said Washington hoped Pakistan would cooperate with India to hunt down “Pakistan-based militants”, and that India’s response to the recent militant attack in the IIOJK does not lead to a broader regional conflict.

“Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict,” Vance said in an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” show.

“And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they’re responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with,” Vance added.

Speaking to Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took exception to statement of the US vice president, and said that while JD Vance has urged against escalating tensions, he has also left room for limited action (by India), as seen in 2019. However, if India takes any such step, we will thwart its face-saving attempts and respond forcefully.

Khawaja Asif stated that the border activities of Indian Rafale jets were merely provocative, but Pakistan effectively countered them by jamming their communications, and we will not fall into any trap set by India.