Rubio asks Pakistan to condemn Pahalgam attack, cooperate

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday called on Pakistan to condemn the attack in Pahalgam and cooperate in an investigation while also encouraging India to de-escalate, in telephone calls with both sides.

In the call with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio “spoke of the need to condemn the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam,” the tourist hub in Indian-administered Kashmir, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

Rubio “urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,” she said in a statement.

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In a separate phone call with India’s top diplomat Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio voiced solidarity but also encouraged caution as India accuses Pakistan of backing the attack and calls for retaliation.

“The Secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” Bruce said.

“He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”