New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 people. According to Singh’s office, Hegseth expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives and reaffirmed US solidarity with India, emphasizing America’s support for India’s right to self-defense and its fight against terrorism.
Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan has increased military deployments along the border, including air defense and artillery units. Earlier this week, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan spoke via hotline, with India warning Pakistan over ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border. The Indian Army has already responded to Pakistan’s unprovoked small arms firing in Kupwara and Poonch districts on April 27-28.
Separately, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring the need to bring the Pahalgam attack’s perpetrators, supporters, and planners to justice.
