Rubio speaks with Pakistani Army Chief Munir, offers assistance to de-escalate India-Pakistan tension

An official statement issued by the US Department of State said: "Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir earlier today."

During the telephonic conversation, Rubio offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks to avoid future conflicts between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"He continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts," Rubio said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Friday said it has launched a military operation named  Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos against India.

Senior Jammu And Kashmir Official Killed

A senior Jammu and Kashmir official was killed in Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday, UT's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.

Also read: Senior Jammu and Kashmir official Raj Kumar Thappa dies in Pakistani shelling, says CM Omar Abdullah

The deceased Indian official was identified as Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa.

Confirming his death, Omar Abdullah wrote on X: "Devastating news from Rajouri. We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services. Just yesterday he was accompanying the Deputy CM around the district & attended the online meeting I chaired."

"Today the residence of the officer was hit by Pak shelling as they targeted Rajouri town killing our Additional District Development Commissioner Sh Raj Kumar Thappa. I’ve no words to express my shock & sadness at this terrible loss of life. May his soul rest in peace," he said.

26 Locations Targeted

The Indian Ministry of Defence on Saturday confirmed that drones launched from across the border were signed at 26 locations along the International Border and LoC with Pakistan on Friday.

"These include suspected armed drones. The locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala," the X post said.

At least three members of a family were injured after a drone hit a civilian house in Punjab's Ferozepur.

"Regrettably, an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozpur, resulting in injuries to members of a local family. The injured have been provided medical assistance and the area has been sanitised by security forces," the Ministry said.

The latest attack comes after India thwarted 300 to 400 drones launched by Pakistan towards 36 urban centres during the May 8 attack amid escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Two weeks after the Pahalgam attack took place, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In several Indian cities, located close to the Pakistani border, sirens are being sounded intermittently, with Indian air defence systems intercepting drones and missiles launched from across the border.