New Delhi, May 1 (NationPress) The External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, conveyed on Thursday that he engaged in discussions regarding the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He emphasized that both the perpetrators and the planners of this attack must face justice.

In his morning post on X, the EAM stated, “Had a conversation about the Pahalgam terrorist incident with US@SecRubio yesterday. It is imperative that the perpetrators, backers, and planners are held accountable.”

This post follows a dialogue Rubio had with Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, amidst rising tensions between the two nations after terrorists brutally took the lives of 26 individuals in the scenic Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rubio urged both leaders to strive toward de-escalating their tensions and ensuring peace and security in South Asia.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to collaborate with India against terrorism and called for Pakistan’s cooperation in probing the “unconscionable” attack in Kashmir, stressing the necessity to condemn it.

Previously, Tammy Bruce, the U.S. State Department Spokesperson, noted that during his conversation with EAM Jaishankar, Secretary Rubio “expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to partnership with India against terrorism.”

Bruce added that Secretary Rubio “also encouraged India to collaborate with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and ensure peace and security in South Asia.”

She further stated, “The Secretary urged for the cooperation of Pakistani officials in investigating this unconscionable attack. He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to reduce tensions, re-establish direct communication, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”

“Both leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to holding terrorists accountable for their heinous acts of violence. The Secretary urged Pakistani officials' cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,” Bruce said.

India has placed the blame on Pakistan for the attack, as The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for it.

Meanwhile, for the seventh consecutive day on Thursday, the Pakistan Army engaged in unprovoked firing on Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials.

A Defence Ministry spokesperson reported, “During the night of April 30 and May 1, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the LoC opposite Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army responded proportionately.”

For the past week, Pakistan has been engaging in unprovoked firing along the LoC, and on Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers targeted Indian posts with small arms along the International Border in the Pargwal sector of Jammu district.