US’s Marco Rubio calls for de-escalation in calls with Jaishankar, Shehbaz Sharif

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for immediate de-escalation amid India-Pakistan tensions in calls with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The calls come as Pakistan is firing drones and missiles, targeting several Indian cities along border startes, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan.

US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “Secretary Marco Rubio spoke today with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation.”

Rubio expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications.

He added, “The Secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.”

The calls come as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a full-blown attack from the Pakistani side who targetted Indian cities with a barrage of missiles and drones on Thursday evening. Border areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International border, RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar, witnessed heavy shelling.

Eight missiles were shot at RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar, which were all intercepted by the Air Defence Units. The Indian air defence system shot down all the missiles and drones and no casualties have been reported so far.

Hours later, India retaliate and fired missiles on Pakistan’s side in defence. The Indian Army and Air Force are deploying surface-to-air missile defence systems, including the Akash, MRSAM, and Zu-23.

In a big setback for Pakistan, India shot down three jets, including two Pakistani JF-17 jets as well as F-16 jet.

The Indian army released a statement on the ongoing escalation and confirmed that military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary in Jammu & Kashmir have been targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones.

There is a complete blackout in several cities across Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Pakistan’s fresh attack comes just hours after India foiled its attempt to attack 15 locations. The government’s statement came shortly after Pakistan claimed one drone crashed near Lahore, while 12 others were taken down close to Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Miano, Karachi, Chhor, Rawalpindi, and Attock.

The incident comes a day after India struck terror camps in Pakistan, in an operation named ‘Sindoor’, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.