New Delhi: US counterpart Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke over the phone on Wednesday, during which they spoke about the recent terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attackers, supporters, and organizers of the incident must be held accountable, Jaishankar said.

“We spoke with US @SecRubio yesterday about the terrorist assault in Pahalgam. “Its planners, supporters, and offenders must be held accountable,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

Rubio reiterated the US commitment to working with India to combat terrorism throughout the discussions. According to a statement from the US State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce, Rubio also urged India to cooperate with Pakistan in order to “de-escalate tensions” and preserve peace and security in South Asia, while also expressing his sadness for the lives lost in the “horrific terrorist attack” in Pahalgam.

The two leaders’ discussions take place as Pakistan has been violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir more often after the terrorist incident in Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 people dead and several more wounded. The Indian Army has successfully countered the Pakistan Army’s unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control.

India has closed the Integrated Check Post at Attari and suspended the Indus Water Treaty in retaliation for Pakistan’s backing of cross-border terrorism in the wake of the assault. India has likewise decided to reduce High Commissions’ authority.

Earlier, on April 29, the three service chiefs, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan attended a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor, attended the conference as well.

The meeting came only days after the Cabinet Committee on Security met on April 23 in response to the Pahalgam terror assault.

According to government officials, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s determination to strike a devastating blow to terrorists.

According to the sources, PM Modi showed total trust and confidence in the Indian Armed Forces’ professional capabilities. According to them, PM Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces are fully free to choose the strategy, objectives, and timing of India’s reaction.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi attended the meeting, which Prime Minister Modi hosted on Tuesday.