BREAKING: US Tells Pakistan To 'Immediately De-Escalate' From India, Say Report

Washington DC: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Pakistan to immediately de-escalate tensions with India after Pakistani forces suddenly launched barrage of missiles and drones on several Indian cities on Thurday targeting civilians and military infrastructures. The US warning comes as Pakistan launched loitering munitions targeting multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Punjab, including Jammu city's airport, leading to fears of an all-out war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a boiling point, with Pakistani forces unprovoked aggression on Thursday, a series of escalating moves that have captured global attention. 

The tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating since the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians and prompted India to launch 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan-backed terrorism. The operation, which destroyed multiple terror camps in nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), exposed Pakistan's support for terrorism. 

In the meantime, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stepped up diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation. Rubio has separately called Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasising the need for Pakistan to take concrete measures to end support for terrorist groups. Rubio also expressed sorrow over civilian casualties and urged Pakistan to participate in direct dialogue with India to avoid any misunderstandings or accidental military confrontations.

Rubio's efforts have been echoed by US Congressman Ro Khanna, who has called for de-escalation of tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Khanna has also referred to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir as a dictator and urged Islamabad not to retaliate in the aftermath of India's 'Operation Sindoor'. "Both have nuclear weapons. Well, the most urgent thing is de-escalation. I mean, there was a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and innocent people were killed. India took a response that helped take out some of the terrorist networks. The important thing now is for de-escalation," Khanna said in an interview with a foreign media. 

The United States has urged both countries to work together to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia. "The United States is deeply concerned about the situation and urges both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions immediately," Rubio said in a statement. 

Earlier, Rubio had said, "We stand by India's right to defend itself against terrorism, but also call on Pakistan to cooperate fully in investigating this attack."

The United Nations has also called for restraint, warning that further escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences for the region. The global community is watching closely, and it's imperative that both nations take steps to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to their differences.