By Asim Tanveer and Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan Friday night began its retaliation against Indian missile strikes with operation “Bunyan-un-Marsoos,” targeting military installations.
Islamabad called it a “befitting response” to Indian provocations, which New Delhi described as response to April 22 attack on civilians in Pahalgam area of the Indian-administered Kashmir.
“These actions are being carried out in response to India’s initial attack, which was an assault on our homeland, people and sovereignty,” the statement said.
Earlier, Indian missile strikes targeted Pakistan Air Force’s three airbases.
In Washington, he United States renewed its call for de-escalation and a responsible solution to the Kashmir crisis before the Pakistani announcement of its operation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief on Friday, reiterating U.S. call for Pakistan and India to de-escalate.
According to the State Department the top American diplomat in call with General Asim Munir also offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks to avoid future conflicts.
The White House said the U.S. remains in “constant communication” with the leaders of the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors as President Donald Trump seeks a rapid de-escalation.
“This is something that the secretary of state and, of course, now our national security adviser as well, Marco Rubio, has been very much involved in. The President has expressed he wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible,” spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday.
“He understands these are two countries that have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here in the Oval Office,” the Press Secretary said.
“However, he (Trump) has good relationships with the leaders of both countries and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, I spoke to him just yesterday, he has been in constant communication with the leaders of both countries trying to bring this conflict to an end,” she added.
