New Delhi– U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke by phone on Thursday to discuss the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including one Nepali national. Most of the victims were Indian tourists.
During the call, Secretary Hegseth offered condolences for the loss of innocent lives and condemned the “dastardly” attack. The U.S. reiterated its strong support for India’s efforts to combat terrorism and affirmed the country’s right to defend itself.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, Singh conveyed that Pakistan has long supported, trained, and funded terrorist organizations, and stressed that the international community must not overlook Islamabad’s role in destabilizing the region.
“Pakistan has been exposed as a rogue state, fueling global terrorism and threatening regional security,” Singh said during the conversation. “It is critical for the world to explicitly and unequivocally condemn such heinous acts of terrorism.”
The U.S. Secretary of Defense reaffirmed America’s solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism and expressed continued support for India’s right to take necessary actions in its defense.
The April 22 attack targeted a group of tourists in Pahalgam, where armed militants reportedly asked victims’ names before opening fire. In response, Indian security forces launched an intensive counterterrorism operation in the area.
Tensions have continued to escalate, with the Pakistani military opening fire across the Line of Control (LoC) during the night of April 30 and early May 1 in the Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian defense officials reported that the Pakistani army used small arms in unprovoked firing. The Indian Army responded appropriately, according to official sources.
The latest developments underscore ongoing concerns about regional security and cross-border terrorism as India continues to press the global community for a stronger stance against Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorist groups. (Source: IANS)
