Pahalgam attack: Vance says US hopes Pakistan cooperates with India against Pak-based terrorists

US President Donald Trump and other senior officials have condemned the attack as "terror" and "unconscionable," while offering support to India.

US Vice President JD Vance has called for restraint while saying that Pakistan should cooperate with India in hunting down Pak-based terrorist. He also iterated that he hopes India's counter-action to terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 were killed, does not lead to a larger conflict extremism in the region.

In the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack, Vance's comments come closest to the US Government pointing at Pakistan for harbouring terrorists and operating terror outfits operating in Kashmir.

Speaking during an interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier," Vance said, "Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn't lead to a broader regional conflict."

Thereby adding a pointed message regarding Pakistan's role, he added, "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."

“I’m worried about any time you see a hot spot breaking out, especially between two nuclear powers,” Vance added.

US President Donald Trump and other senior officials have condemned the attack as "terror" and "unconscionable," while offering support to India.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, saying he supported India’s right to defend itself.

In recent days, diplomatic efforts have intensified with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducting separate calls on Wednesday with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging de-escalation and a "responsible solution." Sharif called for an independent investigation, while warning that India appears poised for military action.

Apprising of the call, Jaishankar said that the perpetrators, backers and planners of the attack must be brought to justice. "Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack with US @SecRubio yesterday. Its perpetrators, backers and planners must be brought to justice," the external affairs minister said on X.

In the aftermath of Pahalgam attack, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, both countries have closed airspace to each other's commercial airlines, and there have been repeated instances of cross-border firing from Pak to which the Indian Army has responded appropriately.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have vowed to punish each and every person responsible for the attack and those abetting and harbouring terrorists.