WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance warned about a 'broader regional conflict' in South Asia amid simmering tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. 'Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn't lead to a broader regional conflict,' Vance told Fox News late Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Vance was responding to heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad since April 22, when unidentified gunmen killed 26 victims at the touristic resort of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi has attributed the attack to 'cross-border links,' blaming Pakistan for the incident. Islamabad, however, has denied the charge and has proposed an impartial probe into the attack involving a third party.

'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,' Vance added. He emphasized that the US is in 'close contacts with friends' in both nations. Washington has urged the two countries to de-escalate the situation amid intensified diplomatic contacts made by Pakistan and India with their respective allies over the past 10 days.