India's response to Pahalgam attack should avoid regional war, says US VP Vance

The United States Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that India's response to the recent Pahalgam attack, which killed 26, should be done in a way that does not lead to a broader regional conflict.

In an interview on Fox News, Vance said Pakistan should cooperate with India on the issue of extremism.

Previously on Thursday, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and extended condolences over the loss of lives in the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Further, Defence Secretary Hegseth reiterated the United States' "strong support" to India.


Tensions with Pakistan
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed has increased tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Pakistan's military is continuing its build-up on the borders with India and has deployed air defence and artillery units at forward locations.

Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline on Tuesday to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence sources said on Wednesday. They said India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LOC) and the International Border.

The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC). The Army responded swiftly to the ceasefire violation on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K), officials said.

Recently, Pakistan's envoy to the US has urged President Donald Trump to help ease tensions with India as he simultaneously strives to solve conflicts in Europe and West Asia, Newsweek reported. Pakistan's Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said that for a president "who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration", there was no "higher or flashier flash point" than Kashmir.

PM Modi gives "complete operational freedom" to forces
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the top defence brass that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam attack.

India has also taken a raft of measures against Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism, including holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari.

India has also decided to curtail the strength of High Commissions. The government has given armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC.

The Army responded swiftly to the ceasefire violation on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The Indian Army had also responded effectively to the Pakistan Army firing along the LoC on the night of April 26-27 in areas opposite the Tutmari Gali and Rampur sectors, as per officials.