• US State Department engaged with India and Pakistan after Kashmir attack.
• Washington expressed support for India while not criticizing Pakistan.
• Tensions escalated post-attack, with military actions reported from both sides.
• A neutral probe into the attack has been called for by Pakistan.
• Analysts warn of potential escalation of violence between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

The US State Department announced on April 27 that it has been in contact with both India and Pakistan, urging them to work towards a "responsible solution" in light of the rising tensions following a militant attack in Kashmir. The attack, which occurred on April 22 and resulted in the deaths of over two dozen people, primarily targeted tourists in Pahalgam. While India has blamed Pakistan for the violence, Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for a neutral investigation into the incident, as noted in the statements from Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

The US has expressed support for India, condemning the attack and echoing comments from President Donald Trump regarding the need for India and Pakistan to resolve their issues. A spokesperson for the State Department stated, "This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely," reinforcing that Washington is encouraging dialogue between the two nations. Analysts suggest that India is now a significantly closer ally of the US compared to Pakistan, exacerbating concerns in Islamabad about potential military retaliation from India and possible US support in such a scenario, according to sources including Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

Tensions between the two countries have intensified since the attack, with both sides undertaking military activities along the Line of Control (LoC). Reports indicate that exchanges of gunfire have resumed after several years of relative calm. Following the attack, India temporarily suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which has historically governed water-sharing between the two states, while Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights. Such actions underline the fragile state of relations, as highlighted by experts and government responses from Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

Former Pakistani ambassador Hussain Haqqani emphasized that there seems to be little US interest in mediating the current crisis, stating, "This time, there is no U.S. interest in calming things down." Additionally, Ned Price, a former US State Department official, warned that if India perceives unwavering US support, it could further aggravate tensions, leading to increased violence in the region, a sentiment echoed in the analyses from Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

The United Nations has called for maximum restraint from both nations to resolve this issue peacefully through dialogue. Meanwhile, Indian security forces have begun a crackdown in Kashmir, detaining numerous individuals in their search for the attackers, showcasing the escalating tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region, as mentioned in reports from Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.