The dispute over Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan but divided between them, has already sparked three wars. A group said to be linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group that seeks to reunify Kashmir — and was behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks — initially appeared to claim responsibility for last week’s massacre in Pahalgam but then said its social media had been hacked.

The US urged India and Pakistan to work together to de-escalate tensions and avoid an expected clash, after militants last week killed dozens of people in the Indian-controlled portion of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in 26 fatalities. Both nations have exchanged accusations, with India blaming Pakistan-based militants and Pakistan denying involvement.