Washington, DC: In order to “maintain peace and security” in South Asia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to denounce the “unconscionable” Pahalgam terror assault and “de-escalate tensions” with India.

According to a statement from US State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce, Rubio also urged Pakistan to resume direct contact with India and assist with investigative efforts during his discussions.

According to Bruce, both presidents underlined their unwavering resolve to punish terrorists responsible for their horrific acts of bloodshed.

Following the horrific incident in Pahalgam on April 22, in which Pakistan-sponsored terrorists murdered 26 people—mostly tourists—and maimed several more, there has been an increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (Loc) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the Pahalgam terror assault, Indian security forces have stepped up their anti-terror efforts in the Kashmir valley.

Additionally, both Pakistan and India have prohibited their respective planes from using their airspace.

In response to Pakistan’s assistance for cross-border terrorism, India has also taken a number of actions against it, such as halting the Indus Water Treaty and shutting the Integrated Check Post at Attari.

India has likewise made the decision to reduce High Commissions’ authority. The government has granted the military total operational autonomy to choose how to react to the terror incident in Pahalgam.

The Pakistan Army’s unprovoked small weapons fire across the Line of Control has been successfully countered by the Indian Army.

According to authorities, the Army reacted quickly to the ceasefire breach that occurred in the vicinity of the districts of Kupwara and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on the evening of April 27–28.

According to authorities, during the night of April 26–27, the Indian Army successfully retaliated against Pakistan Army fire along the Line of Control in regions across from the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already said that India will track down, punish, and identify all terrorists and their supporters in the wake of the horrific incident. India would hunt them down to the end of the world, he added.

“I promise the whole world that India would track down, apprehend, and punish all terrorists and those who support them. We’ll go to any lengths to find them. Terrorism will never break the spirit of India. There will be consequences for terrorism. We will do all in our power to ensure that justice is served. This commitment unites the whole country. We have the support of everyone who has faith in mankind. I express my gratitude to the citizens and leaders of the many nations that have supported us.

The day after the terror assault in Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also convened. The cross-border connections of the terrorist act were highlighted in the briefing given to the CCS. It was said that the victorious elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the region’s consistent advancement towards economic growth and development preceded this incident.