India-Pakistan Tensions Rise After Kashmir Attack

Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply increased after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic relations, closed border crossings, and granted its armed forces full operational freedom for possible retaliation. Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian flights and threatening a 'befitting reply' if India escalates further. Ceasefire violations along the Line of Control have persisted for seven consecutive nights, with ongoing exchanges of fire despite hotline talks between military officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging de-escalation, peace, and counter-terrorism cooperation. The US reaffirmed its support for India against terrorism while pressing Pakistan to assist in the investigation and restore direct communication with India.