U.S. calls for de-escalation as India-Pakistan tensions rise over Kashmir attack

The United States has called on India and Pakistan to urgently de-escalate rising tensions following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead, further straining relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone calls with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, urging both sides to “maintain peace and security in South Asia” and open channels for dialogue.

“The Secretary conveyed deep condolences for the lives lost in the April 22 attack and emphasized the importance of restraint and cooperation,” the State Department said in a statement.

“He underscored the need for both countries to work together to prevent further escalation and to combat terrorism in all its forms.”

The call for calm comes amid a rapid deterioration in bilateral ties. India has squarely blamed Pakistan for supporting the group suspected to be behind the assault near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the southern part of the Kashmir Valley.

The attack targeted a group of pilgrims and local vendors at a scenic meadow, drawing widespread condemnation and sparking public outrage across India.

Pakistan has denied any involvement, labeling the accusations as “baseless and politically motivated.”

A statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Islamabad “remains committed to peace in the region” but warned against “India’s attempts to externalize its internal security failures.”

In a retaliatory move, India on Wednesday announced the closure of its airspace to all Pakistani aircraft, a significant escalation that experts say could disrupt commercial flights and military operations in the region.

The decision follows a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic and economic measures taken by both sides since the attack.

Security has been tightened in Indian-administered Kashmir, and intelligence officials suggest the attack may have been carried out by a Pakistan-based group seeking to provoke unrest ahead of local elections scheduled for next month.

Analysts warn that the situation remains volatile. “What we’re seeing is the familiar pattern of crisis escalation,” said Tanvi Madan, a South Asia expert at the Brookings Institution.

“It’s a dangerous moment, and international mediation could play a key role in pulling both sides back from the brink.”

The Kashmir region, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but ruled in parts by each, has been a flashpoint for decades. The two countries have fought three wars since independence in 1947, two of them over Kashmir.

As Washington and other international players watch closely, there is growing concern that further missteps could spiral into a broader conflict.