US Vice President JD Vance expressed hope on Thursday that Pakistan would cooperate with India to apprehend the Pakistan-based terrorists responsible for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives
“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.
“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.
Top U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump, have condemned the attack, calling it “terror” and “unconscionable,” while expressing support for India without directly blaming Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bring those responsible to justice. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a recent conversation with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, emphasized that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
India has implemented a series of retaliatory measures. These include suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah-Attari border, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and revoking visas for Pakistani nationals.
Both nations have also closed their airspace to each other’s airlines and engaged in cross-border skirmishes along the Line of Control.