US vice president JD Vance on Thursday responded to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month that killed 26 people. Vance said he hopes India will respond to Pakistan in a way that avoids a "broader regional conflict" while also asking Pakistan to cooperate with India to find those responsible for the attack.
"Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn't lead to a broader regional conflict," Vance said in a podcast interview with Fox News.
"And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they're responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with," Vance added.
“I’m worried about any time you see a hot spot breaking out, especially between two nuclear powers,” Vance said in the interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
Vance’s comments are the most direct link made by a US official since the April 22 attack that left 26 people dead, possibly suggesting Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist activities in India.
The US vice president had earlier also reacted to the Pahalgam attack. In a post on X, he had said, "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack."
The Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed, was among the most deadly terrorist attacks on civilians in the Kashmir Valley in recent years. The attackers had targeted a scenic meadow that could only be reached by hiking or using a pony service.
Other senior US officials, including President Donald Trump, have also reacted to the attack. They called it "terror" and "unconscionable" and expressed support for India, but did not mention Pakistan.
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