'Find ways to de-escalate': US top diplomat Rubio speaks with Pakistan army chief Asim Munir

NEW DELHI: US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Saturday spoke with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir urging him to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan.

“US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir earlier today,” the US department of state said in a statement.

"He continued to urge both parties to find ways to deescalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts," it added.

This comes after Pakistan continued committing cross-border hostilities. In retaliation, Indian armed forces targeted at least four Pakistan air bases including Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, Murid Air Base in Chakwal, and Rafiqui Air Base in Jhang district of eastern Punjab province.

India also destroyed key Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads near Jammu, which were being used to launch tube-launched drones.

The Indian retaliatory strikes were followed after a series of provocations from Pakistan, including a major drone offensive on strike, when 26 locations—from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat—were targeted using armed drones.

Defence sources said that Indian forces successfully thwarted these attacks, which were aimed at key infrastructure such as airports and air bases, for a second consecutive night.

Indian defence systems also intercepted and neutralized drones and missiles launched in an attempt to strike military installations in 15 northern and western Indian cities.

The latest actions are part of a broader Indian military response under Operation Sindoor, which began on Wednesday.

As part of that operation, Indian armed forces carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. The operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.